When can I sow carrot seed in the UK?

Late February under cloches in southern England; mid-March to July outdoors across the UK; first sowing in early April further north. Carrots want soil above 7°C to germinate, so don't push them in too early. Successional sowings every three weeks from April to early July give a steady supply through summer and autumn. Late-July sowings of fast varieties crop into November.

Why are my carrots forked?

Forked roots mean the soil was too stony, too rich, or too compact. Carrots fork around obstructions or split when their growing tip hits stones. Don't add fresh manure or compost to the bed before sowing — high nitrogen makes them branch. For heavy clay, grow short or globe varieties (Parmex, Chantenay) in deep tilth or in containers of loose multi-purpose compost.

How do I stop carrot fly?

Cover the bed with enviromesh or 60-cm-tall fleece from sowing onwards — the fly can't fly higher than that. Thin seedlings in the evening on a still day; the bruised foliage attracts the fly. Sow Resistafly or Flyaway varieties for partial resistance, though no carrot variety is fully resistant. Companion planting with chives, leeks or onions confuses the fly but only modestly — netting is the only reliable defence.

How do I know when carrots are ready?

Push back the foliage with your fingers and look at the shoulder of the root. Early varieties are ready when 1–2 cm across, usually 10–12 weeks from sowing. Main-crops are ready from August onwards when 3–5 cm across. Don't wait too long — over-large carrots get woody and coarse.

Can I grow carrots in containers in the UK?

Yes — short varieties (Parmex, Paris Market) do well in 30 cm pots or window boxes. Use sieved multi-purpose compost. Sow thinly, thin to 3 cm apart, keep consistently watered. Carrot fly affects container-grown carrots less because the bed is usually higher than 60 cm; raise containers on bricks to be safe.

How do I store carrots through winter?

Lift main-crops before the first hard frost. Cut foliage 2 cm above the root (don't twist; you'll wound them). Layer the roots in damp sand in a wooden box, ensuring they don't touch. Store in a frost-free shed or garage. They keep firm until April. Alternatively, leave them in the ground covered with a deep straw mulch — fine in southern England, risky north of the Midlands.

Möhre

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Sow carrot seed direct from late February under cloches, March to July outdoors — successional sowings every three weeks for a steady crop. Carrots want light, stone-free soil; heavy clay or stony ground gives forked roots. The dominant enemy is carrot fly (Psila rosae), so cover the bed with enviromesh or a 60-cm-tall fleece barrier from sowing onwards — the fly can't fly higher than that. Thin seedlings to 5 cm apart and pull thinnings in the evening on a still day; the carrot scent attracts the fly. Carrots are hardy enough to tolerate light frosts (RHS H4) and main-crop varieties stored properly last all winter. Early varieties crop from late June; main-crops from August onwards.

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