How to Plant Carrots From Seed

Overview

Grasping the feathery greens and pulling a crisp bright orange carrot from the garden soil gives a sense of accomplishment for any gardener. When you have a well prepared garden row or raised bed for root crops to grow in you will get a good yield of the best tasting fresh carrots possible. Carrots are grown from tiny and elongated lightweight seeds that need little cover. It is important to plant carrot seeds in well prepared soil in the spring.

Step 1

Work the soil with a rototiller or dig the garden area to a depth of 10 to 15 inches. Remove all stones from the soil to prevent deformed carrot growth. Mix a 2 to 4 inch depth of compost into the soil for an organic fertilizer. You can also add in 2 to 4 cups of 16-16-8 or 10-10-10 all-purpose fertilizer in a 100 square foot carrot bed.

Step 2

Smooth the surface of the soil in the carrot bed with a hoe or lawn rake until the area is evened out.

Step 3

Sprinkle carrot seeds on to the row in a straight line.

Step 4

Cover the carrot seeds with a fine sprinkling of soil by hand. Pat the area with the palm of your hand to firm the soil slightly.

Step 5

Water dry garden soil with a very fine spray to prevent seed dislocation. Water daily to keep the soil moist to prevent it from hardening or crusting over. Crusted soil will deter plant growth.