VegetableCarrot
Carrot
Carrots are cultivated vegetables with edible tapered taproots, typically orange, that grow from 3 to 36 inches tall depending on variety. These cool-season crops thrive in hardiness zones 2 through 11 and have a fascinating origin story: they were first developed in Afghanistan from wild carrot (Daucus carota var. carota), the same weedy Queen Anne's lace native to Europe and Asia that has naturalized across North American roadsides. Today they remain one of the most reliable and rewarding root vegetables for home gardeners, producing vibrant underground treasures in loose, well-drained soil under full sun.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Loose Loam; Loose Texture Aids Root Growth
Growth Stats
8 in
Height
36 in
Width
Spacing
2
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
8in H x 36in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Carrots descended directly from wild Queen Anne's lace, a plant so common you've likely seen it growing along roadsides, yet gardeners transformed it into a refined vegetable prized worldwide. They're remarkably trouble-free to grow, with no serious insect or disease problems in most gardens, and their taproots range dramatically in size from delicate fingerlings to chunky storage types depending on which variety you choose. The showy flowers that bloom in June and July are a lovely bonus if you let them go to seed, creating delicate white umbels that bees adore.
Common Uses
Carrots are eaten raw as a snack, roasted as a side dish, and incorporated into soups, stews, and stir-fries. The taproots are the prized edible portion, though the green tops are also edible and can be used in salads or cooked as greens.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds about two to three weeks prior to your last spring frost date directly into the garden bed. Sow seeds with a very thin layer of covering material such as compost or peat. Keep the soil surface moist to prevent crusting until germination occurs.
Harvesting
Carrots are typically ready to harvest when the taproots reach full size for your chosen variety. Harvest by gently loosening the soil around each root and pulling from the base of the greens. Young, tender carrots can be harvested at any stage, while mature roots are ready when they've reached the expected diameter for the variety.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Bloom Time
June To July
Scientific Classification
Daucus carota var. sativus
Family
Apiaceae
Genus
Daucus
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (I)SPM (I)
History & Origin
“Cultivated carrots emerged in Afghanistan, developed from the wild carrot Daucus carota var. carota, a weedy ancestor that originated in Europe and Asia before naturalizing across North America. This transformation from humble roadside weed to refined vegetable represents one of agriculture's quieter success stories, showing how selective breeding can reshape a plant's potential over generations.”