How To Grow CARROTS And PARSNIPS That NEVER Stop Producing!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you enjoyed this video, please *LIKE* it and share it to help spread its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS here: 0:00 Growing Carrots And Parsnips Year Round 1:14 Increasing Root Vegetable Sugar Content 3:00 Succession Planting Secrets! 5:17 Soil Requirements 6:38 Growing Parsnips And Carrots In Containers 7:06 How To Plant Carrot Seeds 9:25 How To Plant Parsnip Seeds 9:50 Fertilizing Root Vegetables 12:15 Watering And Maximizing Germination 15:03 Thinning Carrots And Parsnips 18:57 Adventures With Dale

[@Gardeningchristine]

I let my carrots go to seed a couple years ago and they started coming up everywhere, in between the bricks in my sidewalk, in my driveway, and my favorite they have taken over one side of my front yard, so I don’t even have to plant them anymore, I just go dig some out of the lawn. They have literally become weeds, but I don’t mind.

[@dipdinger]

Their flowers are great for predatory and parasitoid insects too

[@bjeh001]

"Dirt don't hurt." I was already a fan of this channel but this one quote won me all over again.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Dirt = probiotics! It's literally why dogs and cats eat grass when they have an upset stomach. Our obsessive cleansing of food is killing our guts. Granted, you have to wash food from stores because everything is so dirty and contaminated from transport. Look at the huge carrot recall from e.coli announced today! But when you grow it yourself, there is no contamination risk (as long as you don't use raw manure or something), so a little dirt actually can be beneficial.

[@NPC2_4_U]

There's an early Joel Salatin video where he get's out of his truck, walks to his field, bends over, picks up some soil and tastes it.

[@mikeblalock4116]

I grew up rural, I knew that saying before i could say it.

[@iBenMification]

You can use the carrot tops in pesto as well!!!! I really thought you were gonna say that! Love this channel! It’s my favorite gardening channel for sure!

[@caris.6613]

Interestingly enough my toddler spilled carrot seeds in the yard two years ago. Found carrots growing this year in the spilled sand from the sandbox right off our grass.

[@mariap.894]

I'm not a fan of either veggie, but I am a HUGE fan of Dale!😂 His coat looks incredible!! and I love to see him frolicking in the yard with you! ❤🐕❤🥰🐕🌺

[@lindag9975]

Here in the Phoenix area, carrots are a great crop to start in the autumn or winter, and they are done in the spring. They don't like weeks of 110+ temperatures, even under shade. But mine are already planted, and I look forward to a spring harvest.

[@RandomPersonOnTheLine]

They also turn woody if they mature in 100+ weather. Definitely not an all year crop, but 8 - 9 months of it is good carrot growing weather.

[@davidkim3477]

Carrot tops are delicious too

[@donhorak9417]

Carrot tops in soup stock

[@TammyKurz]

That would be a great shirt, “Dirt don’t hurt.” Thanks for such great videos.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'll keep that in mind 😄

[@ordainedreverendhighpriestess]

You can eat carrot tops. They are loaded in vitamins and minerals. They even have more vitamin C than the roots. I chop them up and put them on salads and in stews. I also dry them and grind them and add them to a dried vetable mixture (That I get from scraps- that are safe to eat uncooked - wouldn't do potatoes) and add the mixture as a nutrients booster and flavor enhancer when I cook, especially in the winter months when my garden is slim pickings.

[@ausfoodgarden]

I agree about carrot tops in soups/stews. A fantastic addition if you make your own stock too.

[@MycelialSuperFan]

They taste great in all kinds of salads, bean salads, root salads, etc.

[@ausfoodgarden]

@@MycelialSuperFan They are a bit strong for me. I guess in small quantities? I'll give them a try in a salad.

[@nancylucas4231]

You can also add carrot tops to pesto!

[@georgekahn3313]

One more gem of a teaching session. Thanks 🙏

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@gannas42]

Spotted your Bob Ross chia pet. Love it! Carrots are just happy little trees.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Haha, that thing… 😂

[@honeybadgers1996]

Great tips. I love the way Mr Dale runs. So cute. What a happy boy!🐶 Thanks for sharing the video.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

He runs like a deer! Or a horse. A horse-deer hybrid. He just loves shredding stuffies 😄

[@ctemple99]

I so enjoy all your videos! There's always so much good information! Also love your interactions with Dale. One can easily see how much you love him!

[@andreacastelli6296]

Excellent. I'm in central Florida and getting ready to do my first planting

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Good timing! Now is the time for sure! Don't forget beets, turnips, radishes, chard and all the other goodies!

[@andreacastelli6296]

@TheMillennialGardener do you have an allium one? I had they're tricky in Florida

[@miltonwelch8619]

I'm in Ocala and can still get slightly quicker germination. I'm planting 3 rows if carrots in a heavy-duty, UV resistant plastic box this week. The rows will be about 5" apart and I plan to thin to about 1 1/2". Then, I'll pull half of the carrots at half to two-thirds of full size, leaving the other half to make full size early next February. Meantime, I have some about 5 weeks old in another container. Great video as usual!

[@teresabrockett7525]

You've inspired me to try again. My last attempt resulted in beautiful tops and spindly roots. Now, i know why. Thank you for all of your educational videos. :)

[@mamabear1260]

I have found that i cover the carrot seeds after i water them with newspaper and check them every day to see if they are still moist. I also find that they sprout faster. I like to soak them the night b4 i plant them and wipe them off with a paper towel. Gove a try.

[@Healingarts939]

Perfect timing for the carrot recall.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

We never have to worry about food we grow ourselves 😅

[@newlifecalling2233]

This is just what I needed - a start to finish video on these 2! I never find parsnips at the grocery store here, and I could eat carrots every day! Like the atomic habits newsletter is "the most wisdom per word", Anthony, your videos are "the most instruction per minute". I appreciate the timestamps, seed varieties listed, all the links you provide, and always -your humor and Dale!

[@cavymomma]

When thinning carrots, the greenery can be used to make an awesome pesto or chimichurri 🙂

[@nancycongiusti7526]

Ugh!! I have to get this hoop house going!! I need to cover my 4x12 raised bed ASAP

[@dao8805]

I loved this video! This is the absolute BEST detailed information about growing carrots and parsnips, two of my favorite vegetables, that I have found anywhere. From what I learned here, I know I can do better, even in zone 4a! I really appreciate that your videos never drag on with useless banter, but are always a steady stream of fast-moving, on-topic relevant information, jam packed with helpful facts. And I also love to see Dale living the life that every dog needs and deserves; he's a beautiful boy :) p.s. FYI, Rude Toob fell down on the job today and failed to send me a notification for this video even though it still is showing me as subscribed to this channel and opting to receive all notifications. I just happened to see the thumbnail on my feed and am so glad I didn't miss this video. THANK YOU for all the great info!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you found the video helpful. Zone 4 would be too cold for carrots and parsnips all winter unprotected, but I bet you could do it in a cold frame or in a big, black container in a protected location with some ag fabric over it. In your zone, I would expect March-November to be your carrot harvest season, but your summer carrots will probably still be really sweet. My summer carrots aren't so good, but still perfectly edible.

[@SK-lt1so]

For years, I listened to the advice you should only direct seed carrots. The germination rates were

[@Healingarts939]

Sounds good I think I’m going to do some seed trays for some of my carrot seeds. I already directly sowed some and they have not sprouted yet.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

This is usually a problem with weather. Your seeds are probably washing away. If you cover the area with a board after transplant and keep the board moist, you probably will get very similar germination rates, and you won't risk the carrots being damaged and developing deformities.

[@Thingys-Jill]

I'm excited to hear your experience! I got 1 distorted carrot out of 1000 seeds this past season, which is 100% better than the season before. Do you sow them in deep trays? I would appreciate a reply.

[@RandomPersonOnTheLine]

I've never had issues with germination rates. You might have poor soil or too fast draining of soil that doesn't hold moisture well. Make sure the soil is completely wet and not just the surface. I've never even found the board truck necessary.

[@SK-lt1so]

@Thingys-Jill 3" deep seed trays If the seedlings are an 1" high or less, the tap root should not be visible when removing the soil en-bloc.

[@FigFanatic]

Thanks Anthony. I had many difficulty growing carrots and finally having some success with your techniques.

[@GrantBakes]

Your citrus trees are looking good on the side of your house! I've got my first two Meyer lemons this year turning yellow as we speak. Thanks for all the tips!

[@SweetSipper]

Excited to try growing carrots again!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent!

[@andreacastelli6296]

OMG I have been waiting for this because I'm really ready to put my carrots in and wasn't sure what you thought about it

[@tinkertailorgardenermagpie]

Carrot top pesto is actually DELICIOUS! I also chop & put some tops in any soup, sort of like a parsley. You can dehydrate & add to your greens powder too, for putting into smoothies, marinara, chili, etc.

[@darceyschultz2370]

I love growing carrots and potatoes there in my garden now. Just waiting for them to get bigger.

[@darceyschultz2370]

I have carrots onions and potatoes growing in North Florida but it's cold outside 40°

[@toddfulcher888]

I was eating the carrot tops while thinning them this past Saturday, they're delicious, too!

[@rcgkreations]

Wonderful information, I got my Carrot seeds today, will be planting them & following your tips.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Outstanding!

[@jimjam36695]

Amazing video. Easy to see how many hours went into the final product. I will be planting parsnips and this video will help a bunch. Also, I had no idea about succession planting carrots and parsnips each month.

[@mamabear1260]

Speaking of seeding out...i would like tobhear about how you get seeds for the next year not having to buy seeds...and seed saving. I know there are some vegetables such as carrots and onions that take 2 yts to produce seeds. Please do talk about this. Thank you. ❤❤❤

[@earthadomingue4206]

Thank you so much for this helpful information. I wrote lots of notes so I will remember what to do. I will be planting my carrots soon after my thanksgiving vacation. 🥕🥕🥕

[@KokoraLife]

Thanks for this video! 🌿

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Happy to help.

[@tjanecki]

I planted mine 5 weeks ago, and they are only .5 inches tall. The soil does freeze in my grow bags. Im in zone 7b. Would LOVE to grow them year round.

[@datatamer]

Not sure how I could plant every month. I doubt they would germinate during freezing weather, and even covering with non-frozen soil, they would still become a solid block of ice after watering...🥶

[@farmermarshall]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if I should add more carrots to my garden. I already have a bunch growing but I want more! I'm going to plant more carrots & add some parsnips this weekend.

[@judycee9263]

I hate thinning. I'm not heartless enough.

[@darceyschultz2370]

Me either I hate tossing any veggies. 😂 I try and replant the ones I thin. Gotta give them a chance to grow. 😂

[@sirsanti8408]

Try making some seed tape put of some toilet paper, a flour water paste. And carrot seeds! Alot of effort beforehand but super easy sowing after

[@shawnswain5813]

I’ve always thought you just snipped the leaves and let the root die but, he lets them get a little bigger and pulls them out of the soil so you’re not killing them! I think I prefer that!

[@clairefbonilla]

Same here. Glad I’m not the only one.

[@phillippinter7518]

There's nothing heartless about thinning vegetables. Do you buy animal products?

[@mr.lourod6175]

Thank You !!! Great video as always .. will be starting mine here shortly .. 5-5-5 its what I have and will try it out :)

[@Max-hq2jm]

I have started broadcasting carrot seeds and find I have better germination rates. I cover with piece of wood plank until germination occurs. Thinning is imprecise, but I am definitely getting higher yields. Great video as always. Love the Dirt Don't Hurt...Definitely T shirt worthy.

[@toddfulcher888]

Great timing, I'm growing carrots for the first time and needed this guidance. Thank you!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome! Glad I could be timely.

[@dorothyfu7540]

Thank you for such a quality, info-filled video. I sure would like to try growing carrots from now on. You are a great teacher.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm so happy it was helpful! You're very welcome.

[@resourcefulgirl]

So many great tips! Thanks so much! Especially like the carrot top mulch idea.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Carrot tops make fantastic green material for composting and as mulch.

[@rockyusa2012]

Great 🥕 tips

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@baneverything5580]

Pillbugs love carrots. They only left me ONE of my Danvers half-long carrots so I left it to make seeds next year. I grew the little round Parisian Carrots in pots. Believe it or not this variety seems to transplant well because I tried a transplant in my radish patch and got my best carrot. I grew most of mine in 14 inch long window sill planters and left most of them for seeds next year because I believe seeds raised in my yard will adapt and do better. All other plants I have growing now from my own collected seed did much better than the parent plants.

[@lindaleigh4815]

I went ahead and planted here in Idaho, 6b. Will be interesting to see if they do anything!

[@Mrs.Red89]

Awesome video, and thanks for sharing 👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@medtronicmom]

I was wondering about fertilizing my carrots. I did bone meal and organic fertilizer at planting, but haven't done anything since. Will get on it! Thanks for the info! I have had good luck using newspaper on top when germinating carrots. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@RandomPersonOnTheLine]

I also got that free pack of Koral carrots from baker creek last year. They were pretty good if you haven't tried them yet. A little to traditional carrot like than I tend to grow, but pretty good nonetheless.

[@debbybrady1246]

I grow mine in the rolling tubs from Walmart. Then if we get a weather issue I can roll them under the patio cover.

[@karenzorn773]

I over wintered carrots last year and got great cro, this year I’m trying seed tape regarding spacing.

[@robertantolik2146]

You can also eat carrot tops. Add them to a soup and they're pretty good. But I usually give them to my chickens and rabbits. Not much makes it to the compost pile anymore lol

[@n0d0ubtz]

Great informative video. I think I'll give growing some carrots another try. I also call my 8 month old puppy 'little fluffy butt', lol.

[@RejithRaveendranC]

Carrot tops/greens can be used as food - stir fry, pesto, chimichurri , in salads, soups just to name a few

[@ursamajor1936]

Awesome info!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wendyplatts7986]

Great advice again. I'll try Carrots with this technique. I have not been successful in the past

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The tips in this video should help. There is nothing like a winter harvested carrot! So sweet.

[@ramonajolley1966]

Carrot tops can be used in smoothies, dehydrated and make into a powder. I use the tops in soups as well. Enjoy!! Thank you for the information that will be using soon!

[@bevami1]

Great video

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@dawnteskey3259]

Great video! Playtime with the doggie included! 😅

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Dale kept creeping up on me to try and egg me on. He really wanted to go!

[@ausfoodgarden]

Hey, in case you see this comment. For some reason I didn't get notified of this video but it popped up in my suggested. If you get poor numbers on this video, maybe that's why. Mmm, parsnips and swede (rutabaga). I really should grow some after this Summer (I'm in Melbourne Aus) Cheers!

[@1ChefsKitchen]

I just found you and been watching some of your old videos.I would love to know where I could get an Excalibur lime to add to my collection

[@mixmix3499]

Whoa Daleee, whoa Daleee. Yall crack me up!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

He was stalking me the whole time I was filming this trying to egg me on and get me to chase him 😂

[@awkwardt]

Crazy I used rebar today before even watching this!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's so perfect for laying out trenches.

[@Mattallen94]

Instead of pulling the carrots when thinning you can clip the ones you want to thin at the base and allow the carrots to decompose in place adding fertility and breaking up compaction adding aeration.

[@ambreewilliams6585]

I'm really curious about seeing your progress on the parsnips since you've said in another video that you've never grown them before. I'm going for my 2nd try since my parsnips were pretty smallish last year (zone 8 TX). I want big honkers like the ones I see the UK gardeners growing lol! 😄Wishing us good luck! 👍🏾👍🏾

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That mushy, moist 55-65 degree climate they have in the UK is really great for growing parsnips, carrots and brassicas. After all, that's where brassicas are native. The wild mustard plant came from the UK, so those types of plants are perfectly suited for their climate. I'll keep an eye on them, though. They are an inch tall, so we'll see how they turn out.

[@timothyshanley1132]

Can you still start from seed this late in November? I'm in zone 7B long island ny

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Absolutely. Carrots and parsnips grow easily all year in your zone. Never stop planting them. Plant a row every month!

[@unknownname8328]

​@TheMillennialGardener how about carrots overwinter in Ontario Canada zone 5b/6a our winters are -30°c summers are same +30°c (could I overwinter carrots like garlic? Covered in tree 🍃 leaves for winter and grow out in spring and harvest as summer start the heat) ???

[@josephsermarini5330]

Sounds great. I will try it, but I'm not sure I will like parsnips. I don't recall ever having them before.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I've had them a couple times. You roast them. Peel them like a carrot, cut them into half-moons, lightly toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, roast on a baking sheet at 375 until golden brown, turning halfway through. They're like a cross between a carrot and a white potato. Starchier than a carrot, but sweeter than a white potato.

[@josephsermarini5330]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks. I ordered the seeds. Looking forward to a never ending supply. :)

[@hoosierpioneer]

Carrot tops are edible and are great in pesto!

[@smellslikedirt525]

I got a bunch of black swallowtails mucnhing on one of my bunches of carrots. I might add that root knot nematodes can cause all kinds of wierd carrot shapes and bumpy lower roots.

[@1ChefsKitchen]

Also I do have Myers lemons in pots.I bring them in in the winter and they seem to really deteriorate.Is there any better way to make them thrive?I use some grow lights but just don't know if I should use a grow tent with humidity and such

[@marvenleftick]

I live near southport, nc...very cold frosty weather...if i plant carrots how do i apply water? Will this freeze the seeds?

[@867diesel]

I need to learn how to grow carrots

[@emkn1479]

Fine, deep soil and cover with burlap or cardboard til germinated. Grow bags worked really well for me this year.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you follow this video, I think you'll do well!

[@kaittemurry4740]

I'm in zone 4 .. how do I do this?

[@TheRpro69]

Have you taken the carrots that you thin out and replant them to see if they would grow to full size?

[@robertantolik2146]

That's interesting. I'm curious. Usually I just eat the ones I pull early. I may try that myself

[@cathyl4622]

"Dirt don't hurt". Lol😂 My Grandma used to tell me you have to eat a bucket of dirt before they let you into heaven.

[@rogert8859]

you can also eat the tops in a salad.

[@GProsperity]

That big freeze that happened in texas, my whole raised bed was filled with snow and my carrots were frozen but when the ice melted, they grew back slowly

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Carrots easily take single digit temps. They're amazing!

[@TerribleTim68]

Here in the Seattle area, I've had terrible luck with carrots this year. They just haven't grown very well at all, especially outside of summer. I think it's just the fact that the sun is so low in the sky now, because they just aren't doing anything. You really don't think about the angle of the sun until you start trying to grow things like carrots in fall. It's quite depressing. 🙁

[@thall3827]

I post-compost my carrot tops; I feed them to my rabbits first. 😁

[@brady72.]

5:33 "the worst she can say is no"

[@phillippinter7518]

Some people store these vegetables up to a year in cold storage, and some varieties can store in the ground for months once they are done growing. So planting them every month is not necessary.

[@justbeachy4666]

You can make carrot top pesto!

[@percisionshot4331]

When thinning can you transplant the carrots and parsnip since they are root vegetables.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's possible, but carrots and parsnips do not like their taproot disturbed. Once you pull them, they will have an extremely high failure rate, and even if they take, chances are, they will be deformed. You're better off just eating them as baby carrots.

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

I saw Sunday some small carrots and a couple small onions in two of my beds I missed. Just for fun I’m leaving them in as long as I can to see what happens.

[@nitababcock3977]

Can u replanted those u plucked out? And u could eat the tops.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I wouldn’t replant the tops. I don’t know if it is possible, but carrots get tough and woody with age. I would only plant fresh seed.

[@kluv7139]

lol... crunchy.... what's up Doc?

[@rozsmith6850]

I've been relatively unsuccessful in growing carrots in my raised beds. In NJ, could I start carrots and parsnips indoors, and grow in containers?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

There is really no need. Carrots and parsnips will grow year round in NJ outdoors. IF you want to grow them in containers, simply direct sow them now in the sunniest location possible. Ideally, use a black container so the soil heats up more quickly. That will speed up germination rates.

[@rozsmith6850]

@ thank you!

[@tamararoberts9307]

I grow carrots sporadically ( everywhere) on my property 😂

[@BrendaEsser-tp4mh]

Or the hurricane that hit Florida me week after planting

[@TruthBeToldUSofA]

Can you replant the thinned carrots?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Carrots do not transplant well. If you do, they may not take, and if they do, they will likely grow crooked and/or split. It is technically possible, but you probably won't be thrilled with the results.

[@phillippinter7518]

I've seen Jaques and Kevin replant carrots successfully but I probably wouldn't, why not just plant more carrots in the first place if you have the space

[@jankilly3516]

juice em baby ...

[@jerseygirl5486]

I always fail with my fall timing so I have developed carrots to overwinter in the soil. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[@jenniferbatchelder6696]

How many Dale toys do you go through in a week?🤣

[@bridgetwilkins312]

Dirt don't hurt, but parasites do. So does E. Coli.

[@Sabrinified]

Parsnips are great, but I never find carrots to be worth it. They're cheaper and sweeter in the supermarket. I just grow them for the greens, the ground cover (frost protection) and the novelty of letting my dog eat them straight out of the ground

[@richardroadcap7957]

Instead of a board, I use cardboard cut to size, and water it every day until germinate

[@baneverything5580]

Dirt is low in calories, high in minerals and contains less than 1% high fructose corn syrup.

[@Healingarts939]

What if you don’t thin the carrots 🥕? I don’t want to thin mine when they sprout.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They will likely be smaller and won't be straight. You'll be more likely to develop kinks and deformities. Thinning only takes a minute. You'll get much better results.

[@knowledgeandmultiskilled]

I never heard of Parsnips, and I never saw it either until now. I am wondering if this would be a vegetable that I would like to try to eat. I like carrots, and parsley, but I never ate something that is a mixture of both of them.

[@LesleyPlayle]

Parsnips are lovely. Either roast them or mash on their own with butter S&P or mash with carrots. I also use them in stews, casseroles. Just top and tail, peel and cut sizes you want for roasting or smaller for mashing/stews etc.,

[@knowledgeandmultiskilled]

@@LesleyPlayle Parsnips is a combination of carrot, and parsley, so why would anyone mash it with more carrots? I know this is 1 out of many type of foods that I never saw before.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you enjoy roasted carrots and roasted potatoes, you'll like roasted parsnips. They're basically somewhere in between a carrot and a white potato. They are also a popular substitute for mashed potatoes for people with blood sugar issues, or people who eat lower carb diets. They have a much lower glycemic index, and mashed parsnips are quite popular in those circles.