Organic Carrot Seeds 'Solvita'

‘Solvita’ carrots are best sown directly into the ground, where they will grow without the need for transplanting.

Carrot seeds can be sown thinly from March through to May, aiming to reduce the need for thinning later on. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil, spacing them to allow around 4–6cm between plants as they mature.

Successional sowing every few weeks helps provide a steady harvest over a longer period, rather than all roots reaching maturity at once.

Choose a sunny, open position with well-prepared, stone-free soil. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination, which can take 10–21 days, depending on conditions.

Carrots can be harvested once roots reach a usable size, or left to mature fully, depending on preference. Smaller carrots tend to be more tender and sweeter, while larger roots are well-suited to storage.

Harvest carefully to avoid disturbing neighbouring plants. Regular lifting during the season allows remaining carrots more space to develop.

Soil preparation: Before sowing, soil can be lightly improved with a small amount of frass soil improver, mixed evenly through the top layer. This supports early root development without encouraging excessive leaf growth.

During the growing season: Carrots generally require minimal feeding. If growth appears slow, liquid seaweed fertilizer can be applied occasionally as a soil drench to support balanced development.

Frass can be added sparingly as a surface dressing during the growing season, watered in to support soil structure and long-term soil health.

Carrot seedlings can be slow to emerge and may benefit from protection during early growth. Slugs can occasionally be an issue, particularly in damp conditions.

Carrot root fly may be present in some areas. Using barriers, growing under mesh, companion planting with onions or choosing sheltered growing sites can help reduce the risk.

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Carrots belong to the species Daucus carota, a root crop grown for its taproot, though young foliage is also edible and often used to make pesto. Over time, carrots have been selected for root shape, colour and flavour, resulting in the wide range of varieties grown today.

Root shapes can vary from short and rounded to longer, tapered forms, with colours ranging from traditional orange to yellow, purple and white. Carrots grow best in light, well-prepared soil, where roots can develop without obstruction.

Their ability to be sown directly and harvested gradually has made carrots a long-standing staple of kitchen gardens, valued for both reliability and versatility.