Growing Carrots in Kihei

A Winter Carrot Harvest

Carrots are a cool season crop. They'll grow under row covers in the snow and the cooler weather increases their sugar content.

In Kihei, it's best to plant carrot seeds after the night time temps begin to drop in October and they can be planted through December. Germination tends to be low due to our warm climate and they take a while to get growing. Carrots need 3 to 4 months to reach maturity but they can be pulled earlier as baby carrots.

I grow carrots in 15 x 15 x 15 inch plastic containers filled up to 2 to 3 inches from the rim with a natural or organic potting soil. Then amend the soil with green sand, azomite and an organic all-purpose fertilizer. Because of low germination, I plant multiple seeds in a 5 row grid and then thin to the strongest seedling. Carrots usually need daily water and an application of an organic or natural all-purpose fertilizer once a month or fish emulsion twice per month. Grown in containers, the carrots have had no bug problems.

As the carrots grow longer it's important to make sure the water is reaching the deeper soil in the container. Dry soil can cause the carrots to become deformed.

Dragon Purple

So far, Dragon Purple has been the earliest and most heat tolerant of all the varieties I've grown. They're a beautiful fuscia on the outside and orange inside.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Gourmet Seed have large selection of heirloom and open pollinated carrot seeds. Dragon Purple seeds are available from Bountiful Gardens and Seed Savers.

Maple Mustard and Tahini Glazed Carrots
Raw Carrot and Orange Cake
Pickled Carrots
Carrot Coconut Soup