Carrot seeds -You can start to grow this healthy crop from carrot seeds. Although it can be slow to germinate, consistent moisture in the soil can get you started in growing your carrots seeds. They are especially slow to germinate because they have hard seed coats. It is recommended still to start from seeds rather than transplanting carrots as it the changing location causes malformation in the crop.
Carrots seeds sowing season
- The best time to grow carrots is in the cool times of the year—spring or fall. Carrots are frost tolerant, so early frost won’t hurt the seedlings as they start to grow. Your carrot seeds take 14 to 21 days to germinate. That means you must keep the seed bed evenly moist for three weeks or more. Avoid dry or windy weather because it can slow down or terminate the germination process of carrots. If you want a faster route, pre-sprouts are the best shortcut that ensures a crop. You can do pre-sprouting on your own, or buy sprouts from a local nursery. There are 2 ways to pre-sprout your carrot seeds:
- Boiling water method – Sprinkle carrot seeds across a tray of sterile potting soil. Pour very warm or boiling water over the seed to remove the seed’s cuticle and some of its lower epidermal layers. Cover the seeds with additional potting soil and place the tray inside a clear plastic bag. Mist the soil with a spray bottle two times a day until you see sprouts coming out.
- Freezing method – mix the seed with damp potting soil and spread it across a tray. Place the tray in a clear plastic bag, seal and set it in the freezer for 24 hours. Do not forget to take it out after 24 hours or the seeds will freeze and cells inside them will be damaged.Place the cooled tray on top of the refrigerator or any counter top at 70-80F for 3 days or longer until seeds sprouts.
- Once the seeds are sprouted, you may set them in prepared rows and furrows ¼ inch deep and cover them lightly with potting soil. Keep them well watered until they are rooted and growing. Your sprouts will grow and produce a crop 2 weeks earlier than sowing seeds directly in the soil.
- Carrots need a very loose and well draining soil in order to grow straight and beautiful too. Hard soils, as well as really rocky soils can also cause carrots for fork or become deformed. Amend hard soils with rich compost and remove as many rocks, sticks and other large pieces as you can. Carrots grow best in full sun, but will also grow in part shade.
- If you want to plant your carrot seeds directly in the soil, the easiest way is to sprinkle them since they are very small. Plant them about 3 inches apart to avoid clumping seedlings and save yourself from the difficult task of thinning them. Keep the soil evenly moist until your seeds sprout and your carrots start to grow.