Right there, you’ve already got a future twisty carrot. First, when you sow a carrot in a small pot or seed starting tray, the main taproot quickly grows down and then stops when it reaches the bottom, and may start coiling around the bottom with the other roots. Transplanting carrots causes small, deformed carrots for two reasons. However, taproots will only grow straight down if not disturbed. The reason is that the part of the carrot we eat is just a really large taproot. These carrots are still perfectly edible! This has no impact on taste, but it does feel a bit disappointing when you pull out a tiny carrot with weird twists and turns.Īs I mentioned earlier, carrots should always be directly sown in the ground instead of started indoors and transplanted. The most common problem gardeners have is harvesting small, misshapen, or stunted carrots. If they are planted deeper, the seedlings may not have enough energy to get high enough to reach the surface. Having small seeds, carrots should not be planted deep, no deeper than 1/4 inches (0.6 cm). Some people will cover the soil with plastic or a wooden board to keep the surface moist and check periodically until the first seedlings emerge. Always make sure your soil stays moist after sowing. If conditions are too wet, they may rot before sprouting, and if they’re too dry, the seeds won’t have a chance to sprout. If you’ve sown your carrot seeds and they haven’t sprouted yet, there are a few possible reasons why.Ĭarrot seeds tend to take a longer time to germinate compared to other vegetables, usually around 14 to 21 days. Why Are My Carrot Tops Not Growing Carrots?Ĭarrots should always be sown directly instead of transplanted.Luckily, only a little work is needed to raise a plentiful harvest. Your carrot seedlings need proper care to grow to maturity. A mulch of straw or leaves mixed with organic compost will help feed your plants while helping retain water in the soil.Once the plant is situated, gently mound dirt around the root, making sure it is completely buried.The root needs to be inserted into the ground as straight as possible.Water well, then place the seedling in the ground carefully.Prepare the soil just as you would for seeds it needs to be loose, sandy, and well-drained.

You will likely pull some baby carrots this time these are edible and delicious! You can transplant your seedlings.Ĭarrot seedlings aren’t known for their love of transplantation, but if you’ve got a bunch of thinned plants and a place to put them, give it a try! Water first, then use a fork or similar garden tool to loosen the soil around the top of the plant. Thin again a month later your carrot plants should end up two inches apart. When you’re done, your remaining plants should be about a thumb’s width apart. Pulling seedlings could damage the roots of surrounding carrot plants. Do not pull your selected seedlings, though using sharp scissors, cut the seedling at soil level. To thin the first time, select the seedlings that are smallest, or too close to others. The first will be when your seedlings are about three or four inches tall. Actually, you will thin your carrots twice. When to thin your seedlings.Ĭarrot seeds are tiny, and are planted very closely together, thus as your seedlings emerge, they will need to be thinned to allow room for growth. By the time the plant is an inch or two tall, though, the familiar lacy green carrot top is evident. What your seedlings will look like.Īt first, a carrot seedling looks rather similar to a blade of grass just a single or double growth of slender green leaf. Generally speaking, look for one inch tall seedlings somewhere around three weeks after planting, although it could take a little longer. Carrot seeds are usually sown directly into the soil and require heavy watering to germinate this can take anywhere from one to several weeks.

Carrot seedlings