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Carrots were originally purple, white, or yellow; the familiar orange carrot was popularised in the Netherlands from around the 17th century.
Daucus carota
vegetable
Bees
Pest controlCool-season root crop. Loose, stone-free, deep soil is essential — rocky beds give forked roots. Slow to germinate (up to 3 weeks); keep the surface moist until seedlings emerge. Thin ruthlessly; crowded carrots stay small. Sweetens after the first frost.
🐛 Prone to: Aphids.
Attract Hoverflies, Lacewings, Ladybirds, Parasitic wasps to keep them in check — plant African MarigoldGreat, AngelicaFair and AniseGood nearby.
🌼 Beneficial companion — draws Hoverflies, Parasitic wasps, Lacewings that help control Aphids, Whitefly, Thrips, Caterpillars, Spider mites, Flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, Stink bugs, Leaf miners on neighbouring plants.
Did you know?
Carrots were originally purple, white, or yellow; the familiar orange carrot was popularised in the Netherlands from around the 17th century.
Carum carvi
herbA fellow Apiaceae — similar growing habits to Carrot
Direct-sow Carrot outdoors about 2 weeks before your last frost, keeping seeds in cooler soil (around 10–18 °C). Seeds usually come up in around 14 days. Grow in full sun, spaced about 5 cm apart. Expect to harvest in roughly 75 days.
Water: Medium · Height: 30 cm · Soil: Loose, well-draining sandy loam or loamy soil. pH 6.0-6.8. Remove rocks and debris for straight roots. Avoid fresh manure.
