Carrots

Daucus carota

Carrots are a widely used root vegetable and have become one of the most popular food ingredients. They are high in nutritional value, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and minerals.

Below is more information regarding planting, growing, harvesting, and the history of carrots.

HISTORY

The earliest evidence of carrots came from the hot and dry lands of Iran and Afghanistan about 3000 BC. They can even be seen in ancient Egyptian paintings. Carrots then traveled from Egypt to Rome and Greece and then through Persia and Asia in the 13th century. They quickly spread across Europe as their popularity grew.

The first carrots were brought to the US in the 1600s but were not accepted in American cuisine until after WWI because the soldiers had become so fond of them over in Europe.

PLANTING

Where to plant carrots?

Planting site needs full sun with approximately 8 hours of light per day
Carrots thrive in raised beds with fluffy soil
Soil should be loose, sandy, and well-drained

When to start carrot plants?

You can use succession planting by starting seeds every couple of weeks throughout the spring
Seeds can be started up to two weeks before last frost

How to plant carrots?

Plant seeds in a furrow 1/4 inch deep with at least 1 foot between rows
Cover lightly with soil and be sure to keep the soil fluffy and moist

GROWING

Once seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin them out leaving 3 inches between each plant
Water 1 inch per square foot per week
Optimal nighttime temperatures average about 55 F and 75 F in the daytime
Fertilize 2 weeks after carrot tops emerge
Be sure to weed diligently

HARVESTING

How to harvest carrots:

After 70 days the carrots should be fully grown and about 1/2 inch in diameter
The only way to be sure carrots are ready to harvest is to pull one up and taste test. If the carrot is sweet, then they are ready to be harvested
When picking carrots push down gently then twist and pull up on the top of the carrot
Immediately remove the leaves from your carrot
To store them, scrub off any dirt under cold running water, air-dry, seal in airtight plastic bags, and refrigerate

How to harvest seeds:

Carrots are biennial and require 2 growing seasons to complete their reproductive cycle
In areas with 10-12 weeks of winter weather, the carrots selected for seed harvesting can be overwintered
After they are overwintered, dig them up
Trim off the greens, leaving an inch or so of stem
Brush off extra soil with your hands but do not wash them
Place them back in the soil and allow them to grow into flowers
Remove the flowers once they turn brown and place them in paper bags
Continue to let the flowers dry out and remove seeds from flowers by gently rubbing them

FUN FACTS

Carrots are 87% water
30% of American Vitamin A intake comes from carrots
One glass of milk contains the same amount of calcium as 9 carrots
Carrots have many medicinal purposes such as repairing damaged cells, maintaining skin health, skin antiseptic, improving vision, regulating blood pressure, and many more
Today there are over 100 species of edible carrots
The average person consumes 10,866 carrots in his/her lifetime