Carrots
"Crunchy roots that don't mind cool soil."
How to plant it
Sow seeds directly into loose, stone-free soil.
Plant seeds very shallow, about 1/4 inch deep.
Keep the soil moist—carrots take a while to sprout!
Thin the seedlings to 3 inches apart once they are an inch tall.
Harvest when the 'shoulder' of the carrot is visible at the soil line.
Beginner-friendly varieties
Watering
Keep the top inch of soil moist until they sprout, then water deeply once a week.
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade. They need light to grow strong roots.
Container tips for patios and balconies
Choose a deep pot (at least 12 inches) for longer varieties.
Use 'Little Finger' or other short varieties for standard pots.
Ensure the soil is very loose and sandy for straight roots.
- Don't use too much nitrogen, or you'll get hairy roots!
- Pouring boiling water over the soil before planting can help kill weed seeds.
Quick Facts
What is soil pH?
Soil pH is just a measure of how "acidic" or "sweet" your soil is. Think of it like a flavor profile for plants! Most beginner-friendly plants are perfectly happy right in the middle.
- Most garden soil is already just fine for common veggies and herbs.
- If your plants look healthy and green, you don't need to worry about pH.
- If a plant struggles later, a simple test kit can help you adjust things.
✨ Pro-tip: You don't need to perfectly measure anything to start planting today!
