Carrots are hardy, cool season Biennials that are easy to grow and store well if given the right conditions.  They are members of the Parsley family, and are packed with carotene (the source of vitamin A) and fiber, making them an important nutritional vegetable.

Carrots are usually planted in the spring in the north, as soon as the soil can be worked.  In southern regions, they can be planted in late summer for a fall crop, and again in the spring.  The key to a successful carrot crop is in the soil preparation.  Carrots are root crops and need a light, loose, even sandy soil.  If your area has clay or compacted soil, try growing carrots in raised beds.  Heavy soil causes the root to become forked or deformed.  

Carrot seed is very fine and is difficult to sow uniformly in the garden.  Try mixing it with sand or using a salt shaker, or mix it with radish seeds, which sprout quickly and will help mark the row.  Carrot seeds are very slow to germinate - it may take up to three weeks before you notice the seedlings, and the soil must be kept moist during this time.  Use a light mulch if you cannot check the soil daily.  Be diligent about keeping the area weeded, especially when carrots are young, 

Once carrots are up, you can thin them by snipping off the ferns, or by waiting for the largest to get big enough to use in recipes calling for baby carrots.  This will give their smaller counterparts room to reach mature size.  Harvest mature carrots when they are about 3/4 of an inch wide (60 days or so after planting).  Fall planted carrots can be left in the ground to grow until the first killing frost.  In milder areas, they can be mulched for harvest all winter.  To prevent the tops from turning green (called sunburning), mound soil up once you see the roots swelling above the ground surface. 

Tip:  After sowing carrot seeds, cover the area with clear plastic to keep the soil warm, which helps the seeds germinate more rapidly.  

Medicinal Value:  Carrots are rich in beta carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant and is believed to be effective against some forms of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancers.  It is also believed to be a preventative in stroke and heart disease.  These properties are found in the vegetable, but not in vitamin supplements, so in high risk individuals, eating several servings of carrots per day is an excellent idea.  

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