After many seasons of attempting carrots in our raised beds, I have never managed to grow a decent carrot. No matter how much I think I “loosened” the soil, they inevitably emerge a stubby failure.

Last year, I tried a small variety called Parisian that were supposed to grow into adorable little 3-inch globe-shaped carrots. But these too failed to achieve their full potential. Of course, the drought and 100 degree weather didn’t help matters.

But not this year.

This year I’m growing them in containers.

Container Carrots

By using a straight-sided container that is deeper than the mature size of the carrot, I can control the soil texture and depth and moisture levels much easier than in the ground. Also, I’m placing the containers in an area that gets a little afternoon shade to help protect the plants from intense summer heat that often arrives early in Southern Indiana.

The first two containers I’m going to plant with carrots are potato “bags” in which we failed to grow potatoes last year (the potatoes rotted, so I’m going to punch a few extra drainage holes in the bottom before planting carrots). These tall, soft-sided round containers should work well when filled with a loose sandy potting mix, ensuring plenty of growing room for the 8-inch Atomic Red variety I ordered this year.

Planting Seeds

Carrot seeds are tiny, but you generally get hundreds per seed pack, so sprinkle them liberally onto the surface of the potting mix and lightly cover with soil in early- to mid- spring.

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Once they have sprouted, thin the seedlings according to the directions on the seed packet, or, if there are none, give each plant at least a half-inch to grow on all sides.

Once the carrots begin competing for space, thin them again, this time leaving at least an inch between plants.

Short varieties are usually ready in 55 to 65 days and longer varieties take between 65 and 75 days. Save some seeds and sow them in mid- to late- summer to harvest a fall crop of carrots. For easy winter storage, clean carrots and pack them in sand (plastic tubs with lids work well) so that they’re not touching.

Just think, garden fresh carrots all winter long!