Variety selection
Carrots are classified by the shape and length of the root. Imperator carrots are long with small shoulders and a tapered tip; Nantes are medium length with a blunt tip; Danvers are large and medium length; and Chantenay are short with large shoulders. Nantes types, like Nelson and Bolero, have excellent eating quality and fast maturity and are often preferred by home gardeners. When choosing varieties, look for those with good resistance to alternaria and cercospora. If you are interested in storage, chose varieties bred for that purpose. Many different colored carrot varieties are also now available, including purple and yellow carrots.
Maritime NW Favorite Variety list
This list of carrot family variety favorites for Maritime NW was gathered from the suggestions and experiences of our Snohomish County Growing Groceries and Master Gardener volunteers.
Preparation and planting
Carrots grow best on deep, loose, well-drained mineral or organic soils with good water-holding capacity and few physical obstructions, such as stones. Soils that crust easily after a rain are not suitable because the seedlings will have trouble breaking through the surface. Sowing radish seeds with carrots may help solve the emergence problem. The quickly germinating, sturdy radish seedlings break up the crust so the delicate carrot seedlings can get through. Carrots are also sensitive to compacted soil. Carrots grown in such soils may develop forked and stubbed roots; work soil deeply so roots can reach their full length. If you are determined to grow carrots in a heavy soil, you’ll have better results with the shorter cultivars.
Care
Keep the soil moist until the seedlings are at least 1 inch high; then thin to 2 inches between plants. A uniform supply of water is necessary for good root growth. Reduce watering when carrots reach three-quarters of their mature size to lessen the chance of splitting. For long season varieties on light soils, side-dressing with nitrogen may be helpful for optimal growth and quality.
Pests and diseases
Common pest and disease problems for carrots grown in Washington include leaf spot, root-knot nematodes, and phytoplasma disease. Phytoplasma is a plant disease caused by a very small parasitic bacterium. The bacterium is spread from plant to plant by sucking insects, primarily leafhoppers.
Carrot rust fly is the major insect pest of carrots. Control weeds in and around the garden as the rust fly feeds and breeds on a wide range of weed hosts. Do not store carrots in the ground over the winter. Rotate with non-susceptible crops. Other susceptible crops include all members of the Apiaceae family including parsnips, celeriac, and celery. After planting, cover with a floating row cover and leave on through harvest to prevent carrot rust flies laying eggs in the developing carrots.
For more information, download Growing Carrots in Home Gardens_FS118E (FS118E) from the WSU Extension Home Garden Series.
Harvesting and storage
Harvest carrots while they are still small, no more than 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Depending on cultivar and sowing date, harvesting may begin as early as July and continue until the end of October. For best flavor, do not harvest fall carrots until after a good frost.