Crunchy and tasty, carrots are easy to grow - even if you don't have much space. And the best part? If you grow your own, you don't have to stick to the orange ones you get at the supermarket. Carrots come in yellow, red, white and even purple!
What you'll need:
• Carrot seeds
• A patch of ground - or containers
that are at least 45cm deep
• Multipurpose compost (if you're
using containers)
Step 1: Prepare the ground
Dig the soil over Image: Monkey Business Images/ Shutterstock
• Carrots grow best outdoors in soft ground - but you can also grow them in containers.
• If you grow them in the ground, dig over the soil first, so there are no lumps or stones. (Ask an adult to help!)
• Make rows in the soil - about 1cm deep and 15-30cm apart.
Step 2: Sow your seeds
Sow your seeds in rows Image: Lipatova Maryna/ Shutterstock
• Most carrots can be sown from late March to early July.
• Sow your seeds thinly in your soil rows, 5-7cm apart.
• Cover the seeds with 1cm of soil, and gently water them.
• When the seeds start to grow, thin them out if they're too close
together.
• You should be able to harvest them 12-16 weeks after sowing!
Step 3: Look after your crop
Water your carrots Image: Jurga Jot/ Shutterstock
• Carrots don't need a lot of watering - but don't let them dry out.
• Weeds can crowd them out, so weed between the rows.
• Be careful not to crush the green carrot tops - the smell attracts
carrot flies!
• If the 'shoulders' of your carrots start to show above the ground,
cover them with soil..
There's plenty more information in the downloadable guide. Print it out for more detailed instructions and even more carrot facts! Find all of our carrot growing resources in one handy place at our carrot and parsnip hub page.