Carrots in containers

CARROTS

Can you grow carrots in containers? Yes, why not! In a pot, you can give them the fluffy, free-draining mix they love and, with regular watering, get sweet, straight, crunchy roots.

You can pack a lot of carrots into a pot. Choose one at least 30cm wide and deep, and if you’re growing over the warmer months, go for a lighter colour. This won’t heat up as much and the soil won’t dry out as fast.

The best carrots for containers are short varieties that mature early. Try Short ‘n Sweet, Little Finger, Suko, Easigrow and Baby Amsterdam. The standard varieties will still grow, but unless you have a really deep pot, they will quickly hit the bottom and bend.

A quality potting mix formulated for growing vegies is ideal. Add an organic fertiliser or a slow-release one if it doesn’t already have it, and mix in some extra coir peat to increase water retention. Fill your container to 2cm from the top and gently firm it in.

Carrot seedlings don’t transplant well, so opt for seed. You can sow carrots from spring to autumn in temperate areas, autumn to spring in the subtropics, and autumn in the tropics. Sprinkle fresh seeds over the surface of the potting mix, aiming to space them 2–3cm apart, then cover with up to 1cm of additional mix. Water them in and keep the mix constantly moist until the seeds germinate, in about 10 days. Shading the surface with a piece of board or hessian will help. When seedlings appear, thin them to about 5cm apart.

Place your pot of carrots in a part of your garden or balcony that gets plenty of sunshine. When conditions become hot, move it somewhere that gets morning sun only.

Regular moisture is vital for sweet, juicy carrots, so don’t let them dry out, and give them a liquid feed once a fortnight or so. Have a go!