Sweet, tasty and packed with vitamins, carrots are a traditional grow-your-own favourite. As well as the classic long orange roots, you can also grow small round carrots and even red, yellow or purple varieties. Carrots are straightforward to grow from seed, taking up little space, and can also be grown in containers. Sow small batches regularly from early spring onwards, for harvests almost all year round.
Carrots are ready to harvest in about 90 days, bursting with flavour and sweetness
Home-grown carrots may not always be as straight and uniform as those sold in supermarkets, but they taste so much better and sweeter when freshly harvested. Carrots (Daucus carota) like sun and light well-drained soil, and are drought resistant, so rarely need watering unless grown in containers. Baby carrots can be harvested in only four to six weeks, while larger carrots usually take three months or more, but can be harvested earlier at any size.
Carrots are a popular and easy-to-grow vegetable that can be planted in containers as well as traditional garden beds. Growing carrots in containers offers many advantages especially if you have limited garden space or poor soil conditions. With the right container soil mix, and a little care, you can enjoy a plentiful harvest of crispy, sweet carrots straight from your patio, balcony or doorstep.
Why Grow Carrots in Containers?
There are several benefits to growing carrots in containers:
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Works well for small garden spaces like patios, balconies, and porches. You can grow carrots anywhere you have enough sunlight.
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Ideal if you have compacted rocky or poor quality soil. Container gardening allows you to control the soil mix.
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Protects carrots from tunneling pests like voles. Container walls block pests.
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Creates optimal conditions for straight, unbranched roots. The loose potting mix prevents forked carrots.
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Makes it easy to succession plant carrots for continual harvests. Just add pots throughout the season
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Convenient for gardeners with limited mobility. Easier to care for waist-high containers.
Choosing the Right Container for Carrots
Carrots are root vegetables, so they need a deep container – at least 10-12 inches deep. This gives the roots enough room to lengthen fully. Some good container options include:
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Plastic pots or buckets with drainage holes. 5 gallon buckets work well.
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Cloth growing bags/smart pots. Use 10-15 gallon bags for a good carrot crop.
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Wooden planter boxes. Ensure box is at least 12 inches deep for most varieties.
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Window boxes. Opt for short carrot varieties like ‘Parisian’ or ‘Thumbelina’.
You can certainly be creative and upcycle items like bushel baskets or 5 gallon buckets into planters. Just be sure whatever container you use has drainage holes at the bottom.
Best Soil Mix for Growing Carrots in Containers
Carrots prefer loose, sandy soils that drain well in the garden. Recreate those ideal growing conditions by filling your planter with a lightweight potting mix blended with:
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Coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage. Aim for 20-30% amendments.
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Compost to introduce beneficial microbes and provide nutrients. Compost should be 30-40% of mix.
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A little bone meal to boost phosphorous for root growth. Mix in 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of soil.
You can buy pre-mixed potting soils, or make your own by blending potting mix, compost, and sand. Whichever you choose, never use garden soil in containers. It compacts too easily.
How to Plant Carrot Seeds in Containers
Once you have your container and soil prepared, it’s time for planting! Follow these steps when sowing carrot seeds:
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Moisten soil before planting seeds. Seeds will stick better in damp soil.
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Create shallow rows spaced 2 inches apart. Sow seeds 1 inch apart in rows.
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Place seeds 1/4 inch deep. Carrot seeds need light to germinate, so no deeper.
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Gently firm soil over seeds and water soil after planting. Keep soil moist until seeds sprout.
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Consider pelleted seeds which are easier to handle when planting.
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Optional: Place a thin layer of vermiculite over seeds to retain moisture.
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Label your container with the variety and planting date. Keep pots in full sun – at least 6 hours per day.
Caring for Container Carrots
Consistent care is important when growing carrots in containers. Follow these tips:
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Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Irregular water causes split roots.
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Be careful not to wash out seeds when watering. Use a gentle setting.
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Thin seedlings to 1-2 inches apart once sprouted to avoid overcrowding.
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Side dress with organic vegetable fertilizer mid-season to feed growing roots.
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Place container-grown carrots in partial shade if temps exceed 85°F.
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Check soil moisture daily in hot, dry weather. Potting mix dries out faster than garden soil.
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Cover soil with mulch to retain moisture. Grass clippings or chopped leaves work great.
When to Harvest Container Carrots
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Baby carrots can be harvested when roots are as thin as a pencil. Just pull up entire plants.
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For full size carrots, check maturity 70-80 days after planting.
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Look for 1-2 inch wide shoulders peeking above soil line when mature.
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Use a garden fork to loosen soil before pulling up mature carrots.
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Cut off all greens right after harvesting carrots. Greens pull moisture from roots.
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Store harvested carrots in refrigerator crisper, loosely wrapped in plastic, for 2-4 weeks.
Top Varieties for Containers
You can grow all types of carrots in containers as long as you choose a deep enough pot. Some top pick varieties include:
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‘Parisian Round’ – Sweet round carrots perfect for shallow containers.
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‘Dragon’ – Vibrant purple exterior with orange interior.
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‘Atomic Red’ – All red-fleshed carrots, mild and crisp.
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‘Nantes’ – Classic semi-long carrots with great flavor. Good for juicing.
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‘Little Finger’ – Early maturing mini carrots, 4-5 inches long.
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‘Danvers’ – Blocky, tapered orange roots. Reliable performer.
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‘Cosmic Purple’ – Striking deep purple exterior and orange core.
Troubleshooting Issues with Container Carrots
Growing carrots in containers comes with a few potential challenges. Here are some common issues and solutions:
Problem: Seeds failing to sprout or spotty germination.
Solution: Ensure soil was kept moist after planting. Cover seeds with vermiculite next time.
Problem: Carrot seedlings crowded and spindly.
Solution: Thin earlier next season and follow ideal 1-2 inch spacing.
Problem: Carrot roots are forked or hairy.
Solution: Loosen and amend soil mix with more sand/perlite to improve drainage.
Problem: Tops of carrots pushing through soil and turning green.
Solution: Add more potting mix to cover exposed shoulders. Hill up soil around carrots.
Problem: Flavor is bland and lackluster.
Solution: Ensure you fertilized mid-season. Harvest promptly once mature.
When provided with deep containers, loose potting mix, ample sunlight and consistent moisture, carrots can be grown successfully on patios, porches and balconies. The sweet, homegrown flavor of freshly harvested carrots is well worth the minimal effort required. Follow this complete guide for best results growing container carrots this season.
What and where to buy
Carrot seeds are widely available from garden centres and other seed stockists. They are usually reasonably cheap, with plenty of seeds in a packet.
This is an early carrot that you can sow in February or March under a cloche for protection. The
High yielding, excellent main crop carrot. Large roots that resist greening and cracking. Stores well after harvesting in… The
This carrot has produces sweet orange roots and has good resistance to carrot fly. The
Carrots grow best in full sun and light well-drained soil. They should be sown directly outdoors, as transplanting can disturb the roots and lead to forked or distorted carrots. The main sowing season is from April to early July. The seed packet will state whether it’s an early or main-season variety. Early varieties can be sown in February or March if protected with cloches or biodegradable fleece. Stony, shallow or heavy clay soil can cause long-rooted carrots to become misshapen – short-rooted types should fare better in these conditions, or grow your carrots in large containers. Although just as delicious, wonky or forked carrots can be harder to clean or slice evenly. Avoid sowing in ground that has recently been used for carrots, as it may harbour carrot fly eggs. Before sowing, fork through the soil to break up any hard lumps, and remove any stones and weeds, then rake to a fine texture. Make a shallow drill, about 1cm (½in) deep, water along the base, then sow the carrot seeds as thinly as possible along its length. Space any additional rows 15–30cm (6–12in) apart. Carrot seeds can be slow to germinate, so be patient. Sowing small batches every three to four weeks will give you continuous harvests. Protect carrot seedlings from slugs and snails if possible, and cover the crop with insect-proof mesh to keep carrot fly away. Thin out the seedlings if necessary, aiming for plants 5–7.5cm (2–3in) apart. For more sowing tips, see our guides below.
Related RHS Guides
Sowing veg outdoorsSow outdoors – step by step
Thin out seedlings to at least 5cm (2in) apart, as overcrowding can cause distorted roots
How To Grow Carrots In Containers – The Definitive Guide
FAQ
Do carrots grow well in containers?
- Container Depth: Carrots can be grown in containers ranging from 6 to 15 inches deep, with most varieties requiring a minimum depth of 12 inches.
- Container Shape: Carrots can be grown in most container shapes.
- Drainage: Ensure the container has good drainage by drilling drainage holes into the bottom.
- Soil: Use a well-draining, loose, and nutrient-rich soil mix, or a soilless mix, for containers.
- Carrot Varieties: Shorter-rooted and rounded varieties like Danvers and Chantenay are well-suited for container growing.
- Spacing: Space carrot seeds about 1½ to 3 inches apart in a grid-like pattern for optimal use of container space.
- Sunlight: Carrots need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during germination.
How many carrots can I grow in a 5 gallon bucket?
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Space:A 5-gallon bucket, when filled with soil, can be considered a 1 square foot growing space, suitable for root crops like carrots.
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Carrot Variety:The number of carrots you can grow will depend on the specific variety and its mature size. Some carrot varieties are more compact and suitable for containers than others.
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Planting Spacing:Check the seed packet for recommended spacing between plants and rows to ensure adequate room for root development.
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Container Depth:Carrots can be grown in containers with depths ranging from 6 to 15 inches.
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Other Plants:Besides carrots, you could also grow other root crops like turnips, radishes, or even parsnips in a 5-gallon bucket.
What is the trick to growing carrots?
Carrots grow best in full sun and light well-drained soil. They should be sown directly outdoors, as transplanting can disturb the roots and lead to forked or distorted carrots. The main sowing season is from April to early July. The seed packet will state whether it’s an early or main-season variety.
How long do carrots take to grow in pots?
You can harvest small carrots in under two months, while main crop carrots take around 14-16 weeks from sowing to maturity. Most carrot varieties are ready to harvest between 70 and 80 days after planting the seeds.
How do you grow carrots in a container?
Lightly moisten the soil and gently press the carrot tops into it with the cut end facing downwards,’ explains Daniel. ‘You can plant multiple tops in the same container, leaving an inch or two between them.’ ‘Place the container in a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Keep the soil consistently moist.’
Can you grow carrots in a pot?
Carrots like a cool climate. If you are planting in USDA hardiness zone eight or warmer, you should sow your carrot seeds in the fall or winter. Again, make sure your soil is extremely well tilled and loose before deciding to plant. Alternately, learn to grow carrots in a pot.
Do you need a garden to grow carrots?
You don’t need a garden to grow carrots! This popular root vegetable is easy to grow in containers, window boxes, and planters. Growing carrots in containers is a fun way to grow food in the smallest of spaces as well as on decks, patios, and balconies.