Carrot should be ready to harvest this month. Check for size and colour.
Growing Calendar
This month: Sep
Log to journalReady to harvest now
- •Check size and ripeness
- •Harvest regularly
- •Store or use fresh
Watch Out For
Carrot fly lays eggs near roots: use fine mesh to exclude
Stony or compacted soil causes forked roots
Overcrowding produces small, misshapen carrots
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems: no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Carrot in the UK
Why are my carrots forked or misshapen?
Forking is caused by stony or freshly manured soil, or by the root tip encountering an obstruction. Grow carrots in deep, stone-free, well-loosened soil. Never add fresh manure before sowing. For very stony ground, short-rooted varieties work better than long types.
How do I prevent carrot fly?
Carrot fly is the main carrot pest in the UK. The flies fly low, so a 60–75cm physical barrier around the bed is highly effective. Growing under horticultural fleece from sowing to harvest works well. Avoid crushing foliage (releases scent that attracts the fly) and sow thinly to avoid thinning.
When should I sow carrots in the UK?
Sow carrots from March to July. Early varieties can be sown from late February under cloches. Succession sow every 3–4 weeks for a continuous harvest. Do not transplant carrots. Sow directly where they are to grow and thin to 5–7cm apart.
Can I grow carrots in containers?
Yes, shorter varieties (Chantenay, Paris Market, Parmex) grow well in containers at least 30cm deep. Deep pots or recycled compost bags work excellently. Use a fine, stone-free compost and water consistently.
Is there a sowing date that reduces carrot fly damage?
Yes. Carrot fly has two main flight periods in the UK: May–June and August–September. Sowing in late June misses the first peak and the seedlings are past their most vulnerable stage before the second. This does not eliminate carrot fly risk entirely, but it significantly reduces damage without any physical barriers. For earlier sowings (March–May), use a 60–90cm fleece or mesh barrier around the bed: carrot fly are low-flying insects and cannot get over it.
Written from real growing experience, not just research. Read the story behind Pelham Gardens.
Member guides
There's more to growing Carrot than this guide covers.
A Garden Journal to log what worked, a personalised sowing planner in My Garden, and monthly reminders timed to the calendar.
