Carrot germinates within two to three weeks after sowing. Once it germinates, remove the dry cover. The best way to keep the moisture in the ground and the carrots from drying out is to use mulch. Spread out a layer of 2 to 4 inches of mulch along the rows of carrots to keep the soil moist. Do not place the mulch on the carrots, but around them. Carrots will not only thrive by keeping the soil moist, but love organic material to keep the soil rich in nutrients. Organic mulch will help to provide the nutrients needed. Mulching can reduce weed competition against vegetable crops, and save fuel and labor costs for weed control.
Seedlings are thinned to 5-8 cm in the rows in order to enable easy growth.
Thinning carrots while removing some of the baby plants in a row to free up space for the rest so that they can grow to full size. Ideally, thin carrots twice during the course of the season.
Begin your first thinning when the plants are 4 inches tall. First look for the smallest and scrawniest plants to remove from the garden, or those that are growing right on top of one another. Thin the plants to about a thumb’s-width apart. Thin the carrots for a second time about a month later to about 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart.
Seedlings may be earthed-up when roots start swelling to keep them cool and prevent green tops.
Try earthing up around the tops of the carrots and also applying a 2cm layer of grass clippings around the plants. Carrots tend to push themselves up out of the ground a bit and you get green tops. Earthing them up a bit just prevents the green tops.
Watering during dry spells is necessary to prevent irregular root development.
About a week after planting the seeds, you should start thinking about watering carrots. Carrots require about an inch of water per week to reach their full potential. If no rain falls in your area, you'll need to water the carrots yourself. You can use a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system, but these options can be expensive. Before watering carrots, dig down about 4 inches into the soil beside the plants. If the soil is moist, you're probably in good shape. If it's dry, it's time to water.
Young carrot seedlings are weak and grow slowly; therefore, it is essential to keep weeds under control for the first few weeks after germination. Till shallowly with a hoe.
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