Carrots are one of the most versatile root vegetables that can be grown across various regions with different planting times. If you live in Utah and want to enjoy crunchy, tasty carrots straight from your garden, here is the perfect time to plant carrots and everything you need to know about growing them in the Beehive state’s climate.
Utah has a versatile climate with hot summers and cold winters, which makes it suitable for growing carrots at different times of the year depending on the variety. The most common times for planting carrots in Utah are early spring and late summer. Let’s take a closer look at these planting windows.
Early Spring Planting (March-April)
The ideal time for the first carrot planting of the year in Utah is during March and April. The soil temperature at this time reaches at least 40°F, which is warm enough for carrot seeds to germinate. Select fast-growing carrot varieties that can be harvested within 60-70 days like ‘Nantes’, ‘Amsterdam Forcing’, or ‘Scarlet Nantes’.
Planting Process:
- Start by preparing the soil. Carrots need loose, soft soil to grow properly. Remove any weeds and break up any clods in the soil. Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and nutrient levels.
- Make shallow furrows about 1/2 inch deep, spacing them 6-12 inches apart depending on the variety. Smaller varieties can be planted closer.
- Sow carrot seeds thinly following the spacing guidelines on the seed packet. Carrot seeds are small so use a seeding mix or elder to sow them thinly.
- Cover the furrow with soil and tamp it down lightly. Water gently if the soil is dry.
- Apply a 1/4 inch layer of mulch-like straw to retain soil moisture and discourage weeds.
Aftercare:
- Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soaked. Carrots need 1-1.5 inches of water per week.
- Weed carefully as the seedlings emerge to avoid damaging the tender carrot tops.
- Thin baby carrots to the recommended spacing as they grow to avoid crowding.
- Harvest the carrots when they reach full size which should be about 60-70 days after planting.
Late Summer Planting (July-August)
For a fall harvest, plant carrots from mid-July to mid-August in Utah. Select bolt-resistant carrot varieties like ‘Bolero’, ‘Short ‘n Sweet’, or ‘Parisian’.
Follow the same planting process as mentioned above – prepare the soil, sow seeds in furrows and apply a mulch layer. The warm weather at this time allows carrots to mature before the first fall frost, which is usually in mid to late October in most parts of Utah.
Aftercare:
- Water regularly but reduce watering in late fall as the weather cools down.
- Weed as required and hill soil around the plants to insulate roots from frost in late fall.
- Cover plants with a growing cover or mulch-like straw if a hard frost is predicted.
- Lifting mature carrots is best done after a few hard frosts in late November or December before the ground freezes.
Precautions:
- Avoid planting directly in hot summer as the soil can easily become dry. Use mulch to retain moisture.
- Protect seedlings and young plants from cutworms and flea beetles using diatomaceous earth or floating row cover.
- Rotate carrot planting areas each year to reduce disease pressure in the soil.
- Flood irrigation can cause cracks, forked roots, or loss of flavor in carrots. Use drip irrigation instead.
Conclusion
With the right variety selection and following these simple planting and care guidelines, you can enjoy two bountiful harvests of crunchy, tasty carrots from your Utah garden in a year. The early spring and late summer/fall planting windows offered in the Beehive state’s climate are perfect for growing nutrient-dense carrots. All you need is some patience and TLC for a reward of delicious, homegrown carrots.
