The Best Way to Plant Carrots in Summer (for fall harvest)

[@dustyflats3832]

I liked using burlap. It retains moisture. The only thing is don’t let them grow into the fabric or they may pull up when checking. I’ve also used a piece of vinyl siding and weight down the ends or it blows away. My best crop ever. I changed several procedures. Used burlap to germinate, installed drip irrigation later this year because of drought, changed varieties to Nantes and imperators And spaced them out more. I did also make sure the bed was fluffy. These were all big changes. I think past varieties were those shorter carrots. They need plenty of water and I did thin and could be a bit more aggressive next year as this stopped all the obscene twisting of the roots.😊. The sun is more intense and some light shade can help many vegetables. I also learned I CAN GROW BEETS AND RADISHES!! in Shade! I had 40% shade fabric for another crop and planted radishes in the shade. Well Hello! I had the best crop! Beets that I just let grow on the side never thinking they would do anything also surprised me! I planted broccoli next to them with bug netting that gives about a 3 shade factor and when I harvested the broc. was I ever Surprised-they were Huge! The irrigation helped a bit but never really reached the beets, however, they were in the shade of broccoli and netting. I struggled for YEARS at this location to get beets, radishes and carrots to bulb up! This year I had a huge success with them and rutabagas that I spaced about 6” apart-they are Huge also and not woody😊. I always thought it was the soil and happily it is not as I’ve thrown everything I can at it. It’s just so hot in this microclimate and sandy and so happy I figured this all out. So water water water deep, mulch, use shade fabric when needed, thin. Z5a, WI. Lol, I gave up on lettuce because the baby rabbits got inside garden as I don’t have chicken wire all around 2x4 wire fencing yet. They ate peas and some beets also. New to me voles this year also and hopefully we got them all.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad to hear that in spite of the rough year you're having, that the carrots were a success... as well as the beets and radishes! This is great news!

[@dustyflats3832]

@@GrowfullywithJenna thank you! I enjoy all the testing you do and pick up info. I’ve been gardening for quite awhile and completely stumped with this location as many plants struggle to grow and I’m native to the area. You can throw the Best fertilizer at your garden, but without proper moisture and shade for some you get nothing. The organic material can’t breakdown and turns hydrophobic just like the sand. I always had plenty of mulch, but with this drought and visiting heat domes that visited later I realized by July I couldn’t water as slow and deep as I needed to and just got parts and hooked up irrigation. I have a few raised beds, but they dry out quicker than 3’ wide in ground that I outlined with boards, logs anything I can find and dug the paths down and put a foot of bark in those and the soil went in 3’ wide rows mixed with leaves, manure, ect. I will say the clay like soil that was delivered 2 years ago I wasn’t happy about, but I put it in two long raised beds and have since learned it grows the best brassicas. I read their roots like heavy soil. Now if I can find some pipes and bricks to hold that bug netting down and devise an easy way to hold up shade fabric I will have it made.😄. Right now I use 9 gauge wire hoops for bug netting and throw dirt around bottom, but they are too short for Brussels and shade fabric gets thrown on top of cattle panels and secured however, but it takes a beating in wind. Thinking maybe building clothesline poles on ends of rows with cables. Thanks again Jenna!

[@wendyburston3132]

​@@dustyflats3832could you please explain what you mean about your paths. Do you mean you dug the path lower than the plants and then filled them in with bark?

[@cynthiagame435]

Garden fabric hid lettuce from animals for me.

[@aprilbreen9207]

this is a strategy for varmint problems: hide the plants I have 2 thriving tomato plants and just put carrots under them coz this week is cool and rainy I think the tomato plant smell will disguise the carrot smell and the animals will not be able to see the plants I’m hopeful

[@richm5889]

One thing about the board method that I think puts it above the others is that I can water without disturbing the seeds by leaving the board there. I water on and around the board, soaking the soil. Prior to sowing, I soaked the soil thoroughly before I put my furrow in, sow seeds, and put the board down. Carrot seeds are so tiny it's easy to wash them away, unroot them, or have them all collect in a low part of the trench. I also covered them with row cover over hoops to protect them from all the critters that would eat them including birds, rodents, and carrot root fly.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Very true!!

[@TJtheHAWK]

My method of summer sowing is planting the seeds densely in rows and covering the rows with a light layer of finely chopped straw. Straw seems to keep the moisture in pretty well and the carrots are unobstructed when germinating if it's chopped fine enough. I typically plant fall carrots July 15 to August 1st here in New Hampshire.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Great tip!

[@stephenlodge3864]

I have always started my carrots by laying down two sheets of shade cloth and removing it as soon as they have spouted making sure the ground doesn''t dry out . They are usually up and going by day five. Love your channel Jenna.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Great tip!

[@lsherylc2524]

Wondering why that helps ? Thx!

[@TheGardenFamily]

Thanks for doing these experiments! We use the board method because it has worked for many years but it’s nice to see it validated against other methods!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I enjoyed seeing it against the other methods too!

[@Gardenfrog]

I did comment on your earlier carrot sowing video. I usually plant French breakfast radish seeds in my rows of carrots. They mature before the carrots get very large and help with the carrot spacing. I usually use the cornstarch slurry method but after seeing your results I may try something different. I do sometimes use a board over the cornstarch slurry seeds as well but if you have slugs in your area they tend to hide under the board and eat some of the carrot seedlings. I like the shade cloth because it would help protect from birds and insects as well as excessive heat.

[@user-sp5bh8kn8q]

Really love all of the info you share on gardening. What has worked for me is to use a wood lattice board with small holes slightly elevated off the soil. It allows me to sprinkle the soil with water daily and keep the seeds dark and protected during their germ.

[@bdwon]

It is basically that kind of weather here now! (CentralTexas, Sept 16, 2023) I am going to start carrots next week

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Happy sowing!

[@pedmonds5389]

I live in southern Ohio and you have no idea of how much you have helped me with my gardening. THANKS so much .

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm so glad!

[@margaret2222]

I was a little late getting my fall carrots planted as I am in Ohio 6a. I direct sowed them on Sept. 1. I was concerned how long it would take them to come up but I was shocked to see them emerge in just 4-5 days. I don't know if that is because I soaked the ground really good before I put the seed in and then lightly watered after or if it was the weather but I was happy. I used some seed tape for part and some seeds for another part. Both were in raised beds. Both came up on day 4 and 5. Now if I can keep these lousy squirrels from digging in there all will be good. Thanks so much for all of your videos.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Glad to hear they are up & growing! And ugh... the squirrels... the are a pain aren't they!?

[@wendyburston3132]

Ahhhh!!!!! Squirrels!!!!! I thought by befriending then and giving then Lord of peanuts they would leave my garden alone! Nope!!! Now they not only dug up my plants, they plant their extra peanuts there instead !! Definitely seeing up barriers this year!

[@akrjp6857]

Im going to plant carots in a few day here in Normandie in France near the beaches of 2nd world war...............................still thanks for your smile ...my carots will be happy surely with hyour advices......🥰

[@akrjp6857]

it is a desire for me to see that you are not alone taking care of this beautiful garden , I thought I would come and help you one day or the other but good... So bad is life ..... good luck to you ... have a good day.... A...

[@Minnehaha64]

Thank you, Jenna! This was great! Carrots have been the bane of my existence lately! I planted some this spring, as I always do, and maybe 2 came up! But I direct-sowed some for my fall garden, and they are coming quite nicely! I will try at least one of your ideas in the spring.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad to hear your carrots for fall are coming up nicely!

[@friendlyneighborhoodbogwit2122]

This video is great, I have seen someone pre-germ the seeds before adding to the gel and that seems to speed things up.

[@samanthahoos9827]

I sowed carrots in early August for an autumn harvest and they’re growing tall! I’m hoping to harvest them for thanksgiving 😊

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Wonderful!

[@victorlaszlo1419]

Yeah, I do the board. After 3 years I have finally misdeeds myself thin to reasonable spacing. The July sown seeds did well,but I daily watered.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad to hear that your July sown seeds have done well!

[@melissadavis5954]

My FAVORITE type of video!! Trials! Thank you so much!

[@dig_grow_cook]

I did the board and then shade cloth in July and my carrots look great. I used different varieties so germination didn’t happen simultaneously which affected when I could take the board off, resulting in some becoming leggy. Then I did shade to sort of harden them off. I also have a food grade soaker hose running through the bed so I could water while the board was on and now enables me to water deeply for nice roots. I did get concerned with the bugs under the board (pill bugs and millipedes) that they would want to eat the tender emerging cotyledons. Actually remembering now I did double shade cloth at first and removed layers as the seedlings hardened off. I appreciate your informative videos!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks for sharing your process! Adding a drip tape or soaker hose is something I've been meaning to do!

[@michaelmarchione3408]

I always enjoy seeing your trials. You always give a full account of your process and the outcome. Take care!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you very much!

[@dkulikowski]

At 1:04 you were pulling some wonderful size carrots, yet the greens were minimal. Why not much green growth? You are a great gardener and a super great teacher.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

In part, it's due to the variety- some have stronger top growth than others. It's also because I try to minimize the amount of nitrogen my carrots receive. Excess nitrogen will lead to lush top growth at the expense of root growth.

[@dkulikowski]

What fertilizer do you use for root crops and how often? I have been using Plant Tone espoma? But at the end of the season around first week in September I would like to use a quick liquid fertilizer on my veggies. I used fish emulsion. What do you suggest for a liquid 'quick feed'. @@GrowfullywithJenna

[@tomst9417]

I planted pelletized carrot seed in mid August and used a board to cover them. I watered almost daily for the first 2-3 weeks after planting as it was hot and dry. I had good germination overall, but also had a critter eat some of the sprouts. I like the idea of using shade cloth for the late summer sowing of carrots.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Sorry to hear that a critter got some of yours too! The good thing about the shade cloth-- it can double as critter protection!

[@timclark7507]

Anything that stops the carrot fly. This year I tried raised containers and had wonderful success. I used the board method with cardboard.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Knock on wood... that's one pest I've not had to deal with yet! I'm glad to hear you've had success with containers!

[@jefw37]

Very good! Thanks for taking time to do this & Share your findings! Jeff in N.E. OK

[@akrjp6857]

Thanks ...................and for your smile too..... 😍

[@johnjude2685]

I'm going to make a tool to help thinning the tiny seeds type of seedings that we always need to do, and the older we get, the harder the thinning out becomes. I'm having super germination for them tiny seeds, I'm using felt fabric much as Burlap, and 4 planting a few weeks apart did super each time. Thanks, Lady Gardener

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

That's a great idea!

[@danutu2005]

Very useful information for me. Thanks 😊 I only use direct sowing metod in the spring. I will try for sure next year some summer carrots, maybe the shade cloth metode 😊

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad it was useful! Let me know how it goes if you try summer carrots next year.

[@terrypresna3941]

What about the paper egg carton start out for the carrot seeds. I tried it this year and it worked very successfully. You punch a hole in the bottom of each egg cradle fill it halfway with dirt plant your seed… one or two seeds.. cover the rest with dirt and place it level with the garden soil. This method keeps out the weeds, much better and the carrots just grow through the bottom hole.. like I said, I tried it and it worked quite well. Happy planting..

[@flyfishdr]

Will try the board method If you walk on decking boards in the summer they feel cool even if it's hot outside 🤔

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Let me know how it goes!

[@lindak5036]

Thank you for your wonderful videos. You motivated me to try carrots again. Love you!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad to hear you're going to give carrots a try again!

[@mantzbrinkman4780]

Love the experiments. Very transferable and useful knowledge.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KPaul7]

Awesome test 👍 I will have to try the board method. I did the control type and just watered everyday.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I like the board because it saves me from having to water everyday (I hate watering 😆)

[@wmpx34]

Thank you very much for the detailed and scientific testing

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

My pleasure!

[@amysanchez4472]

Hi Jenna! Enjoying your channel! Interesting to see the different carrot sowing methods! I have never tried a summer sowing but may try it this year! Where did you get your shade cloth?

[@KaspiansTravels]

A strip of corrugated cardboard with a few small rocks/pebbles on top (to keep it in place) works the same as a board.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks for sharing

[@drewsumrell]

Great info Jenna. Thank you for doing this.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Happy to share!

[@corinne7126]

love these test trial

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad! I love doing them 😊

[@julie-annepineau4022]

My spring carrots germinated well but many are going to see now. I assume the shear volume of rain we had, plus the widely fluctuating temperatures have stressed them. Going to try more succession sowing next year. My midsummer carrots are doing well and should be of picking size towards the end of the month.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Succession sowing has worked really well for me- especially given the whacky weather patterns!

[@ronfontenot4534]

Bravo! Great information.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chelseekpeace]

I did the "Cheap" toilet paper method and had pre germination success! I'm interested to see the harvest result. The board method has worked well for me too. 😊

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Glad to hear it! I'd love to hear how harvest goes.

[@chelseekpeace]

@GrowfullywithJenna I will report back! I planted the cheap toilet paper with the sprouted seeds directly in the soil.. im hoping that decision doesn't affect the formation of the carrot. I think for a substantial planting amount, the best bet is to sow directly and use the 'board' method. The one advantage to the toilet paper method is being able to pre space the seeds to avoid thinning...

[@scottpyka2585]

Can you use ice cubes to keep soil cool when planting carrots in the summer?

[@davidcrosby8552]

Timely video for me as carrots are one of the few things I can eat without limitations and about 95 percent of the feral bunnies are gone. (RHD outbreak I believe) They loved to eat the greens of our carrots so I suspect that is what happened to yours. Get yourself an inexpensive webcam with night mode capabilities and see what is hopping around your garden at night. :)

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I suspect so too. I thought I had all the bunnies locked out... but did find one around this time in the garden. If he/she really wanted to I'm certain it could get into that double height raised bed. And you're right-- they LOVE carrot tops. I keep thinking I need to get a camera-- so many mysteries could be solved in the garden 😆

[@davidcrosby8552]

@@GrowfullywithJenna I'm betting on bunnies, but I do remember you had a little shrew that actually showed up while you were recording that one episode. The permaculture people would say we don't have a bunny problem we have a lack of coyote, fox and owl. Are your dogs in at night? I like to leave the lights off at night to let the owls hunt.

[@jimmypayne6319]

Hello Jenna, I was wondering where you got the tool you were using. It looks like a great weeding tool.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Hello! I got it from AM Leonard: amleo.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=184&url=44 It's one of my favorite garden tools of all time!

[@esthersdaughterlong8149]

I'm going to try the board method. I'm in Florida Zone 10a and still not sure when to start planting the seeds. It's still in the 90's, yet we're supposed to have a very cold wet winter starting February. Jènna, what's your thoughts on when I should start the carrots. Thank you so much.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Your growing season is very different from mine! I've read that carrots are best started in your area anywhere between September and March. I would be temped to do some staggered plantings (if you have the room), so that you can evaluate which planting time does the best for you.

[@OhioJeremy]

Call it dumb luck on my part, never grew carrots before. I put in a 6 foot row of seed, watered it once or twice. After 10 days, started seeing it poke thru the soil. Now it's a good 6 to 8" growth, have no idea what I did or didn't do. lol. I also have a nice vole population, so hopefully it comes in before they find it.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

That's awesome! I hope you have a great harvest!

[@albertnett7864]

Great info, thanks.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

You're welcome!

[@grandmabear9069]

How do you think the cornstarch method would work WITH the shade cloth or board? Thanks!! So enjoy your informative videos!!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I think it's worth a test!

[@franksinatra1070]

That's an awesome experiment. Thanks for that. My summer carrot sowing did great under shade cloth this year. As you, we had cooler than normal temps in August so that helped I think. Do you have any problem with white flies in your Ohio garden? They seem to come around every year in August here now and stick around sucking the sap from my plants until it gets cold enough to kill them. I tried Neem to treat them but doesn't seem to help much. Think surround would work?

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad to hear your summer sowing did well! I've not had to deal with white flies yet (I hate to even type that, because as soon as I do, I'll have an infestation next season). So I can't really offer any first hand advice!

[@thereseavelis1372]

Great info, Jenna! Do you over-winter carrots in a raised bed like this and just harvest as needed?

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

That is exactly what I do with over-wintered carrots!

[@andyakomagaling8695]

You have good ideas

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks!

[@andyakomagaling8695]

@@GrowfullywithJenna your welcome ❤️

[@craigdreisbach5956]

Dear Jemma, Thanks for this scientific video. In the morass of all of the videos out there, do your think the encapsulated seeds are worth the added cost in the early spring? I will definitely be using the board method of early August plantings of carrots. Kind Regards. Craig

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I think encapsulated seeds are worth the money if you don't want to waste time thinning carrots and don't want to waste seed. They really help with spacing... I don't find that they don't help with germination. Also, it's important to note that encapsulated seed is best used within one season- they lose germination rates and vigor quickly after this point.

[@ConfedVet]

I'm going to try the burlap method. It's been days of 100+ degrees here in OK. When should I remove the burlap and do I keep it wet? THX

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Remove the burlap as soon as you see tiny sprouts and definitely keep it damp. I’d recommend shade cloth over the area once you remove the burlap.

[@helene2737]

Hi Jenna! Intressting.. What is the name of the Carrot seeds? Helene in Sweden

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I used 'Berlin' carrots for this test.

[@gblyndensrandomreviews]

Very interesting!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I think so too!

[@waynespringer501]

Cardboard works just as well

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Good to know!

[@gmansecond4103]

I am not sure why you didn't include the pelleted seeds, since you are concerned about spacing. We all know how pricey they are, though. But it would be interesting to see if they give you the spacing results you are looking for with the board method or shade cloth....any all others.

[@sammyboyde6489]

I've been wanting to try this for some time now. I believe I have solved the dredded carrot seed delima. Take the guts out of a ball point pen and load it with seed and tap the seed out the end as you move along the furrow. The hole in the small end is key, the hole needs to be about 1/8" perhaps a tad bigger. Need to experiment around with this. Instead of dropping 4 or 5 seeds, it is reduced to 1 or 2 per tap, sometimes 3. To load the tube, fold the flap back and crease the non flap,(the back side of the envelope) and tap them into the tube over paper so you can put the spillage back into the envelope. Try it on the kitchen table, let me know what you think. All the best! Scott

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks for sharing!

[@abbycole7485]

What about getting parsnips to germ?? I planted over a hundred seeds and I got ONE to germinate?!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

My go-to with parsnips is to always pre-germinate seed. Not sure when you planted, but it can take up to a month for parsnips to germinate in-ground, so yours still may pop up! But all the methods that work well for carrots should work well for parsnips too.

[@bradcarby3765]

I only ever grow two carrots at any one time. Plant ten seeds, pick the two strongest ones to grow to maturity.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Interesting!

[@carolschedler3832]

🎉

[@andielliott7721]

I use wet paper towels to cover my carrot seeds.

[@arthursoto4285]

I put my carrots in 9/1. Do you all think that was too late?? 😅

[@shellisspace]

Hope not, I put mine in yesterday

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Typically when I sow carrots after early September, they end up being overwintered carrots. They put on a small amount of growth in the fall and then resume root growth in the spring, and can be harvested mid to late spring. I often cover them with row cover and mulch around them to keep them protected during the really cold months.