Planting Carrots in Containers [With Minimal Effort]
Planting carrots in containers isn’t much different from planting them in raised beds. As long as you select the right carrot type and container, you can enjoy fresh carrots year-round, even if all you have is a balcony to grow on.
Can You Grow Carrots in Containers
Whether you’re short on space or not, growing carrots in containers has some advantages.
Carrots do better in containers and raised beds because you can better control the soil, nutrients, and water. Containers are even easier to grow in because I find that it’s simpler to know how much water is enough - and water is often the biggest mistake people make with carrots.
You can grow quite a few carrots in a container which saves a lot of space in your garden. And if you don’t have a garden, containers are the way to still grow fresh carrots. You can even grow them on an apartment balcony.
If you’ve had a problem with soil-borne pests, containers can help you minimize these problems. I find that my carrots grown in containers often have fewer pest issues and are prone to fewer diseases.
Containers are a great way to succession plant. By having a few containers, you can succession plant carrots all year for a continuous harvest - no matter where you live.
Maybe I’m the odd one, but I think carrots grown in a pot or window box look really nice. It’s a great way to add a pop of decor and get some fresh food at the same time. Instead of planting house plants, try planting some carrots.
Growing carrots in containers is a great project for kids too. A couple of years ago I gave my kids a terracotta pot each and some seeds and they love planting and tending their garden. And if you want kids to eat fresh vegetables, get them involved in growing them. I’ve never seen my kids eat so many carrots as I did when we started growing them in our yard and patio.
How to Grow Carrots in Containers
Select the Right Carrot Variety
You can grow any type of carrot in a container, but depending on the variety, you will need different-sized containers.
Some carrots can grow 12” long. Others only a few inches. Depending on your space and the size of your container, consider this.
Smaller varieties like Little Finger, Tonda di Parigi, Red Cored Chantenay, and Shin Kuroda only grow 3 to 6 inches in length, so you can grow more of them in less space. Little Fingers also don’t grow very wide, so you can fit more in one container.
Also, consider that containers typically dry out faster and heat up more than raised beds. If you’re growing at a warmer time of year, consider a heat-resistant variety such as the Shin Kuroda.
Part of your success is determining the right carrot for your container and climate.
Beyond that, you may want to also consider what you wish to use your carrots for. Do you want them for juicing, snacking, or roasting? Tonda di Parigi is great for roasting. Nantes varieties are great for juicing.
I cover all 5 carrot types and their best uses in my 5 Types of Carrots to Grow This Year article if you want more information.
And as long as you’re not overwintering your carrots and saving seeds, you can mix as many varieties in one pot as you wish. So experiment with a couple of different types.
Select the Right Container
The great thing about carrots is that you can grow them in almost anything. They will grow in a window box, a planter, pottery, and even grow bags as long as they are deep enough.
Depth
Select a container that is at least 6 inches deep for shorter varieties and 16 inches deep for longer types. This is really important. If your taproot hits the bottom, it will fork.
When selecting the depth of the container, I like to have at least an extra 2 inches of soil compared to how long the carrot root can grow.
For example, if I’m growing a tendersweet carrot that can grow up to 12 inches tall, I want a pot that is at least 14 inches deep, preferably 16 in case one carrot decides to be an overachiever.
Width
Some things to also consider are the size and material of the container.
Larger containers will retain water better, smaller ones will dry out faster. There’s nothing wrong with either, but you’ll have to water smaller containers more frequently. I advise coming up with a watering schedule unique to your container size.
When it comes to carrots, bigger usually is better. Err on the side of too big, rather than too small when it comes to width and depth.
Another consideration is whether the pot is narrower at the bottom. Many terracotta pots are narrower at the bottom and wider at the top. This means some carrots may not have enough room to grow deep depending on their location in the clay pot.
When selecting containers that narrow at the bottom, going bigger is always better.
Material
I’ve seen carrots grown in just about anything over the years; however, I wouldn’t grow them in anything.
While I understand that others choose non-porous materials like plastic and fiberglass because they stay moist longer, I don’t.
The problem I have with both plastic and fiberglass is over time the chemicals leach into the soil and we already have enough microplastics that we consume on a daily basis without adding to the problem ourselves.
I prefer to grow in a clay-based material like terracotta, wood, or fabric. The closer to nature, the better.
It is also safe to grow in galvanized steel but be aware that it does leach zinc and other compounds over time. If it’s not galvanized it can rust which is a problem for growing food.
Whether you choose terracotta, wood, or fabric, make sure it has good drainage. On containers without pre-drilled drainage holes, I’ve taken a half-inch bit with my drill and created my own.
If you buy grow bags, I suggest using a 15-gallon or larger for larger carrot varieties or a 7-gallon or larger for smaller varieties.
Color
Color can be very important. Carrots grow best in at least 6 hours of sunlight, but darker containers in that much sun can heat up and literally cook your carrots.
When selecting containers for growing carrots, choose a lighter color and avoid black.
Fill Container With Potting Soil
Choose a well-draining potting soil for your container. My personal favorite has been the Fox Farms Happy Frog which has a good boost of phosphorus (important for carrot root development).
If you’re concerned about drainage, I’ve added a thin layer of pea gravel or broken terracotta (I always seem to have broken pots lying around) to the bottom of the pot and then fill with soil.
This helps with drainage, but make sure your pot is deep enough that the carrot won’t grow into the shards or gravel. If you’re using a potting mix like Happy Frog, you won’t need to do this though. The potting mix is already well-draining enough.
Fill the container with soil to about an inch below the rim. I’ve found that not filling the container up enough can cause too much shade for early seedlings after they sprout.
At this early growth stage, it’s critical that they get enough sun to form the root and true leaves. Keep in mind that your soil may settle over time too, which is why filling it up to at least an inch below the surface is a good idea.
Amend the Soil (As Needed)
I always start with fresh, new potting soil when growing in containers. I use the recycled soil in my garden, never in containers.
But if you don’t have a garden to recycle it in or don’t want to spend the money for new potting soil every time you sow seeds, I’ve found that you can amend it too.
I’ve used compost and Big A Carrots successfully to amend my soil before planting.
When using compost, I will add a 50/50 mix, sometimes less depending on the quality of my soil. Never use pure compost to grow in because it doesn’t drain well. It will waterlog your carrots and cause them to fork.
When using the Big A Carrots, I add a tablespoon or two to my pots, and that gives them everything they need. I like this carrot fertilizer because it’s high in phosphorus and is all-natural. Just follow the instructions on the packet if using. A little goes a long way.
Planting Carrot Seeds in Containers
I’ve seen people sow seeds in rows for bigger planters, but I prefer to broadcast sow seeds or make patterns.
Broadcast sowing is unorganized planting. You literally just scatter seeds across the surface of the soil. I do not make trenches or holes.
If you want to make some cool designs, you can even scatter them in patterns. I’ve done squares, circles, starfish shapes, you name it. It looks neat when the carrots start to sprout and grow. It’s completely up to you.
Once I’ve scattered my seeds, I then sprinkle some more potting soil on top so that they are about 1/4 of an inch below the surface.
Do not bury them too far down because carrots are kind of lazy and don’t want to work too hard to sprout.
If you have a long rectangular planter, you can grow in rows if you prefer, but it’s up to you. When growing in rows, I would space the rows 2 inches apart. This part is different from growing in raised beds or in the ground.
Spacing Carrot Seeds in Containers
I don’t worry about spacing carrot seeds in containers. You will drive yourself crazy trying to space them an inch apart because the seeds are so small.
Instead, I scatter them and later thin them at two different times. Yes, thinning them is a bit of work, but I get to enjoy carrot sprouts, a rare delicacy, and then 30 days later I get to eat baby carrots.
By not spacing them out, I get to enjoy more carrots sooner.
Give Carrots Welcome Water
As soon as you sow your seeds and cover them with a sprinkle of dirt, you want to gently give them water.
Carrot seeds only germinate in consistently moist soil.
Be careful not to blast them. Those seeds are only just barely beneath the surface and a blast of water will dislodge them.
I use my hose on a mist setting. I’ve seen others even use a spray bottle, but I don’t have the patience to sit there and pull the trigger 100 times.
You don’t need to wet all the soil in the pot, only the top two inches where the seed is. If you do wet the entire container, it’s not a problem, it’s just unnecessary. And I don’t know about you, but water isn’t cheap out here in California.
Cover to Retain Moisture
This part is the same as when I sow seeds in my garden. In the garden, I use a board to cover the seeds, but I find it easier to use a plant blanket with containers. It’s essentially a row cover and I cut it to the size I want to cover my containers.
I like the ag fabric because it’s breathable and allows good air circulation and sunlight to enter the container, but helps retain the moisture.
Containers can dry out fast and if it dries out your seeds will not germinate. Been there, done that.
Using this material or something else to cover them will help you keep the soil moist by reducing evaporation. Whatever you use, make sure air can flow freely across the container. Sunlight isn’t a big deal at this point because your seeds haven’t sprouted yet.
Keep Soil Moist
I check my carrot seeds daily to make sure that the top two inches of soil remain moist. Carrots require consistent moisture to germinate.
If you’re unsure, stick your finger two inches into the soil (somewhere along the outside of the container). If it’s moist, you’re good. If it’s not, give them more water.
If your container is outside and it’s hot, you may want to check it a couple of times per day. Containers can dry out quickly.
If you’re growing in a smaller container, you can sprout your seeds indoors. Light isn’t a big factor just yet. When I grow outdoors, I cover my seeds with a board until they sprout to retain moisture. And I’m pretty sure that board blocks all sunlight.
Remove Cover and Place in Sunlight
As soon as you see carrot sprouts starting to appear on the top of the soil, it’s time to make sure those seedlings get at least 6 hours of sunlight.
At this point, you can remove the cover and move the container to a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight. Carrots do best with 6 to 8 hours of full sun.
If you’re limited in space, grow in a smaller container that you can move around.
If you are growing carrots in the summer and get hit with a heat dome, you can move your containers to a shaded area during the afternoon when it’s the hottest.
Shade can stunt carrot growth, but I’d rather have shorter carrots than bitter, woody-tasting ones which is what will happen if they get too warm.
Water Deeply and Regularly
From here on out, you want to create a watering schedule. I recommend using a soil moisture meter so you can track the container’s moisture level and come up with a schedule.
I write all about how to do that here in my article titled: How Much Water Do Carrots Really Need
Once you have a schedule, water regularly. Containers are easier to water because you simply water the container until you see water draining out the bottom.
It’s important to keep the soil moist, but not too moist. Also, don’t let it dry out completely. That’s why a watering schedule is important. Otherwise, you’ll end up with forked and split roots.
Stay vigilant for any spikes in temperatures as they can cause your containers to dry out faster than usual.
Thin Carrots at 2-4” and Again 1 Month Later
Thin carrots in containers the same way you would grow them in your garden. You want to thin carrots when the stem is between 2-4” tall and again about a month after that.
During the first thinning, you’ll space the carrots out by about 1 inch by cutting the tops off. You can eat the carrot sprouts. Surprisingly they taste like, well, carrots.
Mark your calendar for a month from your first thinning and thin the carrots again, this time spacing them about 2” apart. Gently dislodge the carrots to do this and enjoy eating some baby carrots.
Here’s a complete, detailed guide on How to Thin Carrots.
Apply Fertilizer 2 Times
I apply two rounds of Big A Carrots fertilizer to my containers. The first time is when I do the first thinning, when the carrot foliage is about 2-4” tall.
The second application I do when the carrot stems reach 6-8 inches in height.
Do not over-fertilize carrots or use anything with excessive nitrogen. This will cause the carrot root to fork or grow hairy.
I’ve found the Big A Carrots work the best because it has very little nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium - the nutrients that promote strong root development.
You can read all about carrot fertilizers and how to apply them in my article titled: Carrot Fertilizer [What and How to Use].
Hill Soil
I don’t always have to do this, but sometimes the shoulders of the carrot root pop up out of the soil. If this happens and they’re not mature yet, I mound some soil around them.
Sunlight exposure can make the carrot taste bitter and woody. It also turns green.
When to Harvest Carrots in Containers
This was always tricky for me. During my first couple of years growing carrots, I waited too long to harvest them.
If the carrot tops are dense and the carrot pops up from the soil, it’s probably ready to pick.
Other indicators are the color and size of the carrot.
The great thing about carrots is that if you pick one too early, it still tastes like a carrot. Sure, it could have grown a little longer or fatter, but it still tastes just as good.
Pay attention to the time, color, and size, and then pick one when it looks about right. Most carrots take about 60 to 80 days to reach maturity once they have sprouted.
FAQ
What are the best types of carrots to grow in containers?
Shorter varieties do well in containers such as the Tongi Di Pari, Little Finger, and Chantenay types. But if you have a big enough container, you can grow any carrot you want.
What is the best container to grow carrots in?
I’ve found the best containers are terracotta, wood, and fabric. All of these are natural, don’t leach chemicals, and allow for good airflow.
What is the best soil for growing carrots in containers?
I’ve tried many potting mixes and I’ve found that Fox Farms Happy Frog is the best soil for growing carrots in containers.
It isn’t overloaded with nitrogen content like others and has a good dose of phosphorus which helps carrot roots develop. It’s also made with natural ingredients and doesn’t have synthetic additives.
Do carrots grow well in containers?
Yes, in fact, I think carrots grow best in containers. I’ve found that carrots in containers experience fewer pests, fewer diseases, and it’s harder to mess up on watering them too much or too little.
How deep of a container do I need for carrots?
It depends on the type of carrot you are growing. For shorter varieties like Little Fingers, you can grow in a 6” deep pot. You can also grow longer carrots like Tendersweet in a 16” pot.
I always add 2 to 4 inches to the average length of the carrot to determine the depth of my container.
Do carrots like sun or shade when planting in a container?
Carrots need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to reach their full potential. They will grow in some shade but are smaller in my experience.
You can start carrots in a container indoors as they don’t require sunlight until they have germinated and sprouted. At that point, they need at least 6 hours of sun.
Planting Carrots in Containers Recommended Reading
How Much Water Do Carrots Really Need
