Carrot Seeds,
Manpukuji

Manpukuji carrots should be sown from early spring to mid-summer, depending on your location. In temperate regions, sow from March to July. For areas with milder winters, you can also plant in late summer for a fall harvest. Ensure soil temperatures are above 50 F for the best germination rates. For fall sowing, plant about 10-12 weeks before the first expected frost. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Avoid using nitrogen-rich fertilizers, as they can cause the carrots to fork. Sow seeds directly into the soil in rows spaced about 12 inches apart. Carrot seeds can be challenging to handle due to their small size, so using seed tape or mixing seeds with sand can help with even distribution. Plant the seeds 1/8 inch deep and thin the seedlings to 2-3 inches apart once they are a few inches tall. Keep the soil consistently moist during the germination period, which can take 12-18 days.

As the plants grow, water deeply to encourage the development of long roots. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and keep weeds at bay. Regular thinning is crucial to ensure that each carrot has enough space to grow large and straight. Avoid excessive fertilization, particularly with nitrogen, to prevent forking.

Carrots are biennial plants, meaning they flower and produce seeds in their second year. To save seeds, leave a few plants in the ground over winter. In spring, they will flower and eventually produce seeds. Once the seed heads have dried, collect and store them in a cool, dry place. Note that carrots can cross-pollinate with wild carrots, so for pure seeds, ensure no wild relatives are nearby.