How to Grow Carrots and Beets From Seed... and Have Success!

In this video I'll show you two proven methods for successfully sprouting carrot seed. I'll also give you tips on how to grow carrots and beets successfully from seed.

[@Okeflora.6480]

I just didn’t have the heart to waste my carrot seedlings, so I decided to experiment. I transplanted them, and got carrots 🥕. It was exciting!

[@NextLevelGardening]

That's awesome!

[@andreamortimer2610]

I've done that, too! As long as they are really young, they don't appear to mind too much!

[@meanqkie2240]

“To plant them one at a time would take the patience of…not me!” ROFL 🤣

[@skittlesrainbowprincess]

I plant them one at a time and never knew there was a different way 😂. I don't think I have patience but what do I know

[@LadyMeia]

I make seed tape for teenytinies like carrot seeds with single-ply toilet tissue cut in half lengthwise, & kids' school glue. It keeps my hands busy during the winter when I'm dying to do garden stuff, stores just fine rolled up in a ziplock until spring, and eliminates the dreaded thinning step because you can take the time to put down just 1-3 seeds per glue dot when you're only making up one row of tape at a go. I find 12-18in/30-45cm is a good manageable length of tape in general, but that's really dependent on one's own garden setup.

[@shirleyk623]

@NeiaNoite. I do the same thing. I thought I was the only one who did that. I also don't like the idea of thinning and discarding the carrots. Not to mention wasting seed. When I read your comment I had to look and see if I had written that. I use the cheap toilet paper so it decomposes quickly. I put a dot of Elmer's glue every inch. I can get 12 seeds per individual square of TP, if I remember correctly.

[@susanblauss5829]

This is a good idea

[@jamesguttu8658]

I use the “select a size” cheap two-ply paper towels. Separate the two-ply towel and fold the separated pieces into a one inch squares. Unfold them. Now you have about a one inch grid with 32 squares. Use Elmer’s white glue and a toothpick. I do this on a “tv tray/table” while watching tv. Lay out your first sheet on the table put a line of seeds in front of the sheet. Put a small drop of glue in each square in the first two rows. Using the toothpick dip the tip very slightly into a dot of glue, pick up a seed with that toothpick and set it on the glue dot. Repeat as many times as you have seeds/paper towels. Be sure to lay the sheets out separately until dry then you can layer them and place them someplace, I just put them in a dresser drawer until planting time. When I plant in the ground in a garden, I pre-moisten the ground first. Then I lay the sheets down in any fashion you desire, two sheets side by side, or one sheet at a time, etc. I usually do a couple of sheets then use a garden pump sprayer with water in it to moisten the sheets really well. After I have my row laid out I go over the whole row again with the pump sprayer and soak the sheets with water. I cover my sheets with a thin layer of potting mix, then water that again with the pump sprayer. I keep a close eye on them and water sometimes 2-3 times a day if it is sunny or it does not rain. Soon you will see the carrots sprout and they will be in a near perfect line and no thinning is necessary. I have done it this way for over ten years and never had a failure to sprout.

[@tinab7791]

I have cardboard circles sized to all of my deep containers that I grow carrots in. It's been so helpful when it comes to germinating them. I check every day and as soon as I see a sprout, the cardboard comes off and I begin the endless keeping it moist cycle until most of it is sprouted.

[@Autism_Forever]

After watching this video I realized that I am a carrot abuser :)))) I put carrot seeds in the ground and cover them with mulch. I water like 3-4 times a week. They do germinate though :) Then comes the thinning and harvesting problem. I do not thin and I often do not harvest. Instead, I get these massive carrot and beet bushes that can go on for a few years, with all the roots grown in together. I use them to harvest delicious greens to use in salads and soups :) When winter comes, I cover them with clear Dollar Tree shower curtains and water with warm water 1-2 times a week. I should probably listen to your advice and do things the right way though :) To be serious, thank you so much for always providing great gardening advice ♥

[@marieugorek5917]

with my clay soil, I figure if I get my soil nicely prepared, I'll get lots of beautiful beets. If I don't, I'll get lots of beautiful beet greens and the soil will be easier to work the next spring.

[@mikeseitz8858]

@nextlevelgardening you mentioned in a video a few years ago that you can use Jiffy peat pellets to start carrots and then transplant them. I have tried that this year and have 12 healthy carrot plants. I also tried planting carrots in small seed cells in seed starting mix and then transplanted them. One set was transplanted when the coteledons were just up and another set after the carrots got their first true leaves. It worked, but got small carrots, not as long as I would have liked. Your pregermination idea is one I'll have to try.

[@taniahummelgard2290]

I had so. Many. Carrots and beets from seed this summer. All thanks to your tips! And ooh I could cry, I harvested my beets, probably had 20 pounds, and put them in a plastic bin in my basement for 2 weeks. Then I finally had a chance to store them one weekend, and they were all moldy! But, excellent harvest, bad neglectful farmer here!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I guess with beet thinning it depends what your beet goal is. If you don't thin, the multi-seeds both grow and the young beets just push each other sideways and both grow well but not as large. Love the carrots-in-a-bag method! Thanks!

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome!

[@nobanana2]

Have learned a lot the past few weeks watching your videos. Can't wait for next growing season here in Ireland

[@DebRoo11]

Lay down white paper towel, wet it, sow the seeds, cover with another layer of paper towel, wet again. You can see the seeds easier when sowing, the paper towels help keep seed moist, seeds easily germinate through the paper towel when damp. Easy peasy.

[@marioandre7051]

I wanted to add that I love that you mention containers, if you could donthat for each video you do would be awesome. I do my organic gardening on my rear balcony.

[@ellenconforti5693]

This year I am trying the Bolero Carrot. BUT it is a pelleted seed and was much easier to plant and space and I didn't have to thin which saves a ton of time. I think they take a little longer to come up but they're doing fine. I am hoping to get a good crop from these. Fingers crossed. Thanks for all the tips. I usually don't have a problem with my carrots but my beets are another story. I actually didn't plant them yet this season as I am debating because they don't usually do that well. But I might break down and give it a try with the blood meal. Florida Gardener Zone 9a

[@tallcedars2310]

Good seeding tips. I do like the broadcast method. I deeply wet the 2 foot wide prepared bed, get a pinch of seeds, hold that about 2 feet from the ground and rub my fingers together as I move my hand along. Then I spread handfuls of compost on top, water it and place cardboard on top and water it also. I water it every 2 days and remove the cardboard after a week. No thinning required, unless you want to. At harvest time, I pull the largest of the carrots/beets and leave the smallest to grow more. This method is the intensive gardening method that keeps the root flies out. Going to try this with turnips as they continue to be infested in rows, I haven't eaten a turnip yet, and I plant them every year, lol.

[@gfkgfk7178]

We leave ours close together and thin them throughout the summer giving us lots of mini carrots. Then leave the spaced ones out into the fall and they get nice and plump.

[@ShortbusMooner]

Beets.. 😖 LOL! I do carrots in a 20 gallon, round containers, about 24" tall. Since I continuously replant, I always have fresh ones, 'til now. Now, I have one big carrot I let go to seed. I'll save those, replant with older seeds. Carrots seem pretty easy.. 😁👍

[@user-dj6gd2eb9p]

Thank you! I was getting more than a little down because I can't seem to get carrots to grow. I can't wait to try your methods. Again, thanks so much. And, by the way I love your channel. I have learned so much from you and have passed on the information to friends and family. Keep up the great work!

[@MichaelRei99]

You know beet greens go excellent with oregano! Try putting some in your beet greens next time you sauté some! Next season I’m going to try the cardboard trick with my carrots!

[@noplacelikehome9116]

Love all the gardening advice you share. Thanks for another great video!

[@brendalucas15]

Here is a method that I found somewhere online for carrot seeds. IF you have a long winter like I do, you can make your own seed tape. Take some unbleached paper towel cut in narrow strips, whisk up some egg whites, get a small paintbursh and the carrot seeds. Using the paint brush, dab a small amount of egg white onto the paper towel, place one carrot seed onto the egg wash on the paper towel. Repeat at the proper spacing. Voila! Homemade carrot seed tape. In the spring place the seed tape on top of the soil. Water well and cover with a board or cardboard. Once the seeds germinate, there is no thinning required. I did this this year and it worked great. The grandchildren can't wait to make the seed tape. :)

[@shirleyk623]

My kid's interest in gardening was putting their fork to the mouth lol. I tried to get them interested in gardening but it didn't happen. Even to this day just fork to mouth.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Brian, I always learning something new from you. 🍁🍂🦃💚🙃

[@jackiegeorge8483]

Thank you, this video is a keeper! Going to look through your videos for your advice on growing potatoes

[@geegaw1535]

Thank you for the information and making the mistakes we can avoid.

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome 😊

[@blessildajoy]

Love this spacing idea, Thanks

[@JennTN411]

My plans for the greens are to dehydrate and powder. I have a 'super green' mix started with assorted greens and leaves, but to be able to expand immensely on that for all of that beautiful nutrition is exciting!

[@leeannmillet8215]

Learned something new on the carrots thanks.

[@carolleimbach6407]

Thanks for this. I needed to know.

[@ajhertzell]

I’ve tried the board method and checked one day and there was one or two sprouts so I kept it on for one more day and they had all sprouted and I was too late. I have however, successfully sown seeds in rows and lightly covered with soft potting soil and water them at least twice a day and they have grown into beautiful carrots. No board or presprouting necessary. Haven’t had a lot of luck with beets though. Hopefully I’ll be successful this year.

[@nildaotero2933]

Thanks for sharing. Great video

[@jenniferallivato8141]

The last 2 years my grandchildren and I take discarded tolet paper rolls cut into 3 even sizes. Place them in a recycled plastic trays ( like a Danish one long and about 2in deep) . I fill with organic seed starter. I will fill them and then water good, if more soil is needed add to where it is almost full. Then I place the seeds that have been in between damp tolet paper into the freezer, just as you have said ( 24 hrs) we cut the paper into 1/2in squares or a tad smaller depending on how densely you put the seeds down. Place each piece of paper into the prefilled rolls. And then mist the seeds down pretty good. I keep mine covered with a dark scrap of material for 24 to 48 hours. Then onto a heat mat for 2 to 3 hours per day. Then we watch the seeds very carefully for about 2 weeks. I will mist the dirt ( not the greens) every other day. Once the very tiny roots start to show from the bottom is when I very careful cut a bit off the roll holding them off. In my area we go from 40* to 75 * in 24 hours and we go from Torrential rain to drought so I plant my carrots and beets in a 7" deep long planter boxes. This allows me to move them from the protection of the house ( from wind and to much rain.) Then back to my full sun areas. I fill it with a mixture of play sand-1/4, potting mix 1/3 and the rest with the organic seed starter mix. Leaving about 2 inchs so I can gently move my rolls into the pots. then carefully fill empty spaces with the mixture. My carrots are evenly spaced and get my full attention ( accidentally planted and then weeded them out entirely more then once. ) when the grandchildren come to visit the gardens are the first place they run to. ❤

[@user-ld8do4fp1r]

Great video. Thanks

[@marcschoenfeld]

Question--now that we are in November, how about the "how to prep your garden for winter" that you said you would do?

[@NextLevelGardening]

I did it 😊

[@mrwhitten7704]

Carrots and celery are my biggest challenge. Appreciate the info on the loose soil/potting mix idea. Can you put some compost in the bottom of a grow bag for carrots?

[@BlackJesus8463]

I think beets are basically swiss chard but with a bulb so it makes sense that the greens would be good. Carrots are ok I guess. 😂😂 I do like carrot cake though!

[@dm9022]

I lightly covered with a seeding hay and I now have sprouts we have a sandy soil on east coast so im crossing my fingers 😊

[@AddieMorris]

I had the best results with beets when I fertilized with blood meal every couple weeks. Still working on carrots. I’ll have to try the putting a board in my carrot seeds.

[@farmerchick3040]

I learned a lot from red gardens about carrots success as well.

[@julseabate4173]

Awesome thanks so much!! I have had trouble seeding carrots.....

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome!

[@catracampolieto8989]

I make my own carrot seed disc's. I don't like to waste seeds by thinning and...I don't like to thin them. It's relaxing and it's something garden related to do during the winter months.

[@marktuttle8226]

Nice I needed that info. I have followed you for several years

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you!

[@deniselalonde5075]

I thin mine out a little later. I coax them out with a screw driver to lift out. and then I take the screwdriver and make a new hole that I ream out so the carrot can easily fit in the hole, to drop he plant in. It's just a little more effort and I broaden the harvest. not all take maybe 30% but I try.Also during the growing season about once every 2 months I take a potato fork and loosen the soil in and amongst the carrots because I have somewhat clayish soil so the carrots can grow down more easily.

[@adigmon]

Loved this video! I’ve got carrots and beets growing now. I did transplant some and they’re doing great! I transplanted them after dark. I heard it helps with the shock. Question about growing leafy greens. I have all sorts of lettuces, greens, spinach, cabbages, etc. I mixed crab and lobster and kelp meal into my organic soil and I’m fertilizing with tomato and veg (all Neptunes). Do they need anything else? Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like they’re growing kind of slow.

[@potager365]

A trick to sprout carrots is to sow radishes with the carrot seeds. The radishes will sprout in 3 days and the leaves will shadow the carrot seedlings and you will pick the radishes in 28 days and leave the sprouted carrots in place.

[@lindasoaft9303]

Great advice Brian! I think I screwed up my carrots but will be planting my beet seeds so I should do better with them?. I’ll do another planting of carrots in 2 weeks the right way🥕

[@rooroo5580]

I am SOOOOOO going to try pre-sprouting carrots on a plate.

[@jamesmcintosh1383]

Hey Brian love you videos and your book! I have seen other videos where people made a slurry with cornstarch and mixed their seeds in. Then spread the slurry-seed mix into the garden rows. What do you think of this method?

[@brendamarker7351]

I don’t know why, but I have never had problems growing carrots without all this fuss. Maybe my soil or maybe my belief they would come up. But in the end I have great carrots and I live in the North. One thing though, I hate to thin but I do. I am working on a planting system that works for me without a ton of thinning as I dislike wasting seed.

[@holodeckdragon8876]

I like yr plantng videos the best. u roll right along and get to the point. Very clear. thnx

[@sharon1615]

Fab vlog Brian 🥰

[@raydel5732]

Thank You you Brian. Ray Delbury Sussex County NJ USA

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome 😊

[@rtghdf]

Thank you for sharing your great knowledge and you are right about the Beet greens. People forget or dont know about how delicious they are! Any thoughts on growing them in containers?

[@skittlesrainbowprincess]

I have a macaw who loves all things fresh from the garden. Carrot sprouts are hers and I better not try to eat them myself. I love beet greens though. Agree they are better than spinach but I love garden fresh spinach as well. Nothing like what's in the store. I didn't have any luck with my beets in fall either so I will try (yet again) in spring when the snow melts 😂. Thanks for the video and I hope you have a great winter

[@kirkanos77]

I’ve never been able to grow carrots before. I did the freezer trick last March, but instead of a paper plate and seed starter soil, used a slightly moist paper towel instead. It took about a week for them to start sprouting. I opened the bag daily and waited until I started seeing a few turn light green. Then I surface planted them with a light sprinkled of starter soil on top. It took another 2 weeks for them to take root and green leaves to emerge. It worked great! It’s January now and I’m still harvesting carrots I planted last March. They’re huge now! I allowed some to bloom so I’m hoping I’ll get some reseeding too. Thanks, Brian!

[@nonifidler4547]

I have had great results with Borlotti pelleted carrot seeds from West Coast Seeds in BC Can. Especially in my greenhouse in between the tomatoes.....definitely don’t like my clay soil in the out of doors beds so much tho.

[@peggybuti1896]

I love root crops!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Me too!

[@susanparker-heitel702]

I planted about 2packs of seeds right after hurricane Ian-4 seeds germinated. I am trying in soilblocks and they have just all sprouted and will probably plant in raised bed this weekend.

[@charlenequinilty7252]

Never tried pre sprouting but I don’t have trouble growing carrots. I cover lighter, keep soil moist by covering with wood or cardboard. Start checking after 6 days and if sprouted I uncover.

[@karenreaves3650]

I place seeds on wet soil and lightly cover with soil they grow well.

[@kathleenmclarty502]

Hi Charlene - Do you lift the wood plank or cardboard to water or only lift after 6 days to check for sprouting? Thank you!

[@charlenequinilty7252]

@@kathleenmclarty502 I check if it looks like I need to water I do. Most times the cardboard keeps everything moist until I remove.

[@papabapyro8169]

I just cover the carrot seeds with about an 1/8” of peat moss dampen as needed. Cheers

[@sherimatukonis6016]

How do you like your freeze dryer? Is it worth the $$$? Love your videos

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you! We love our freeze dryer!!

[@sherryweaver4337]

QUESTION this is about peppers I brought in from the garden. I am getting blooms! I have picked them so the plant doesn't stress this early. I mean it's the first week of Nov in zone 3a for gosh sake!! I was wondering if that is a right going to do? Thanks for all your great videos!

[@terigreen8649]

My beets grew more above than below ground. Any thoughts? Some were a but woody so thank for info

[@enideckert3964]

For Gophers: put down two traps, one facing in each direction in the run. You may have moles getting through the wire. To take care of both problems ; Encircle new trees with QUARTER inch chicken wire (found in builders yards )and put some in the bottom so you have a chicken wire cage. Trees/ roots will do just great.

[@Kozmo-Kamuy]

I just put them thumb deep or half tumb and have had no problem

[@deborahsanderson7850]

Mix a semi thick slurry of corn starch and water. Place seeds in your slurry &stir. Get a large syringe and go down your 1/8 " deep row and lay down a line of carrot seed slurry& cover. This will disperse your carrot seed more judiciously and keep it moist until it sprouts.

[@Eric-gi9kg]

Thats interesting about carrots and how NOT to cover them (starting outdoors). I've Always covered mine...though barely. No matter what I am sowing, I always get the bedding moist..sow seed...lightly cover with compost and give it all a gentle drink. That said...I WILL be trying your method next spring...to late for a fall crop.

[@ljgerken]

I planted mokum and danvers carrot seeds into a 10 gallon, lined grow bag two months ago. I have tops about a foot high, but I do not see any root formation. Should I be seeing something by now? I used potting mix, bone meal, pine needles, Tone root starter, and perlite mixed together. I have given them the liquid Neptune's Harvest Rose and Flower fish emulsion twice. Should I give them more?

[@Mrbfgray]

Rank novice here but I've sprinkled carrot seeds in groves then covered with minimal soil, water and cover with cardboard or not depending on season and weather, they sprout and grow.

[@ronaldthoms2147]

I use big pots there 30inches high by 24 wide maybe fill with potting soil . Had a long variety grow through the drain holes very long carrot 🥕 My soil is clay down under what I've improved by composting But these pots keep weeds away to

[@sherylchapman4168]

When I lived in the Northeast, I found the best grown carrots are accidentally planted by an 18 month old!

[@marioandre7051]

This is so timely, I just planted beet seeds indoors in a starter kit with grow led lights. When should I transplant them? Could I do the same with carrots, I going to use the rainbow carrot seeds?

[@tracycrider7778]

As soon as they sprout

[@letsgrowtexas7391]

Charles Dowding has a lot of videos about growing beets. Check them out! :)

[@theresafoster388]

Oh my gosh, you won’t believe this, but you are growing carrots the hard way. For the last 7 years, I have been using Elmer’s glue to glue each carrot and beet seed to cheap paper towels. I use my iron to create the grids on the paper towel. I glue one seed in each square. The square is based on the mature root. I do not have to worry about thinning-ever. I may have some gaps but so worth the time and effort to plant in this fashion. I make all of my “seed tape” during the winter months and planting my garden is a breeze after the last frost date. I challenge you to try this method. You’ll never go back to the time consuming method recommended in this video.

[@jasont5427]

So beets do not even need to be germinated, just straight into the ground? I'm just getting started in gardening and want to plant some first!

[@letsgrowtexas7391]

Yup, straight into the ground!

[@jasont5427]

@@letsgrowtexas7391 Thank you Texas!

[@ffs6158]

Ive never had luck with the board method, it just attracts ants and pincher bugs. Containers for carrots is the best route. I've also never gotten beets to bulb or grow very big, I think the timing is bit trickier than carrots. The easiest greens for me is chard, that stuff is hard to kill.

[@janethall2199]

How do I know when the beets are ready to be harvested?

[@shawntelrichard2041]

So you pick the leave off while the beets are still growing? How much can be removed without messing up the growth of the beet?

[@NextLevelGardening]

About 1/4

[@kimwooldridge5666]

Can you add sand to carrot seeds to sow, like other small seeds?

[@hoosierpioneer]

I plant carrot and beet directly, have tried several covering methods, but they always grow the bulb portion on the top of the ground and lean over, roots never fill out. Not enough sun or planted too shallow? Looks like they are scrawling out of the ground!

[@lindysmallwood2039]

What type of soil is light soil?

[@rachelnewhouse3118]

I'm confused about the fertilizing - so we shouldn't plant beets and carrots near each other b/c the carrots don't like the nitrogen?

[@mbaumery]

I think mine and transplant them to another spot and they do just fine

[@genuineimpulse9134]

What a great reminder of why I grown beets, and not carrots.

[@nancybaumgartner6774]

“Obscene carrots”😊

[@justinbrown2647]

What u can also do is to plant them thinner is by mixing some sand with the seeds then sow them

[@tonkabear2369]

I would have that they would be to fragile to handle in the just sprouted white stage.

[@damien884]

Beets are dirt easy .. so are carrots.. help!?

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

I don't have an issue with germination but my carrots are always TINY. My soil is loose and airy so that's not the issue

[@zahranickpour6344]

Which country u from?

[@carpediem44]

Full sun... Oh ok.

[@paulsoutbackgardenaustrali7674]

I'm just an expert...just plant in rows....don't cover just water in and cover with shade cloth...been doing that here downunder fir 20yrs...or more..😄😁😎😎😎🇦🇺

[@marycoakley7596]

You only cut tops.of strong carrots why?

[@soupysoup931]

carrots sound like a nightmare even tho fun to eat

[@paparoysworkshop]

I'm a bit to lazy to put much effort into my real garden, but growing carrots and beets in Minecraft is much easier and the harvests are always predictable.

[@brettfox6816]

Move on Dude my carrot's Made it all of them i thinned them but they can't hold them self's up. I put water on them and they end up sticking to the wet soil ( not strong )like i did not plant them down deep . Is that what happen they are like bean pole's like the roots are to close to the top of the ground. I put them 1/2 in the ground did they go wild right off the bat i don't know thats why i'm asking.

[@OriginalCoastalDistancing]

7:46 those are not beets…