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Today we are harvesting carrots in containers. Discover how to grow carrots indoors for yourself using a 5-gallon pot and coco coir under LED lights.
Growing Carrots in pots indoors is a convenient way to have a year-round supply. Use deep pots filled with loose, well-draining soil. Sow seeds 1/4-inch deep and keep the soil moist. Place the pot in a sunny location, or use grow lights for 12-14 hours a day. Harvest when carrots are of the desired size.
Harvesting Carrots in Containers: Growing Carrots in Pots Indoors
I have been growing carrots indoors using coco coir in a 5- gallon container under LED lighting, The tops have started dying back and it’s been about 90 days since they were seeded. So today I will harvest them.
Here is a picture of the tops:
As you can see they are done growing so it’s time to harvest them.
Growing Carrots in Pots Indoors Harvesting Carrots in Containers Video
I want to share with you my experience of growing carrots indoors in a container.
After about 90 days of patient nurturing, I found the tops of the carrots beginning to die back, signaling that it was time to reap the rewards of my labor.
I used a five-gallon container filled with cocoa coir. There are two types of these containers: a tall one and a shorter, squatter variant.
I used the taller one based on my past experience of growing carrots in a two-gallon fabric pot, which was a bit too shallow for them.
Now, onto the moment of truth – harvesting the carrots. Uncertainty filled the air as I was unsure of what exactly I’d find.
I carefully turned the container upside down, revealing the hidden treasures.
Right off the bat, I could see some rather unconventional carrot shapes, likely a result of the coir settling and me pushing them back in place over the growth period.
However, overall, they seemed to have done well. There were a few smaller, underdeveloped carrots that could be attributed to uneven spacing, a common challenge given the minute size of carrot seeds.
I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a few nice carrots in the mix.
Not a bountiful harvest, but a satisfactory one, nonetheless. Plus, I was able to repurpose the coco coir, a win for sustainability!
The final tally revealed a modest yet satisfying number of carrots. Though there’s always room for improvement, the process of growing them was rewarding in itself.
Especially since I have a fondness for this particular Nantes variety. Some other carrot types have a peculiar taste due to the presence of certain terpenes.
However, these Nantes carrots are milder and sweeter, which is more to my liking.
Indeed, growing and harvesting carrots in containers has its ups and downs, but I can’t complain.
Given that I grow my veggies indoors, I have the liberty to experiment year-round, owing to the lack of seasonal constraints.
In hindsight, I could have thinned out the seedlings a bit more and worked on better initial planting.
But then again, gardening is a process of continual learning and improvement, isn’t it?
If you’re considering growing your own carrots indoors, I wholeheartedly recommend giving them a go.
I’ve put together a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about growing carrots indoors, from start to finish. I will link to that at the end of this post.
Nantes Carrot Seeds
If you want to grow some Nantes Carrots here is a good variety from Burpee Seeds that you can try.
As I said earlier I find them to have a sweeter and more mild taste than many other varieties. These are ready in 65-75 days.
Growing Carrots In Containers FAQs
Growing carrots in containers has increasingly gained popularity as people seek the convenience of year-round cultivation, even in spaces without a garden.
However, growing carrots in pots does require specific knowledge about the ideal container size, sunlight requirements, and watering schedule.
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers that aim to guide you through the process of successfully growing carrots in containers.
Q: Do carrots grow well in containers?
A: Yes, carrots can grow quite well in containers as long as you provide them with deep enough soil and proper care.
They are a good option for those who lack garden space.
Q: How big of a container do you need to grow carrots?
A: The container’s size depends on the carrot variety. Generally, a container should be at least 10-12 inches deep for standard-sized carrots. Shorter varieties can grow in shallower pots.
Q: How many carrots can you grow in a 5-gallon bucket?
A: You can typically grow 10 to 12 carrot plants in a 5-gallon bucket. Make sure to space the seeds about 2-3 inches apart to give them room to grow.
Q: What is the best container for carrots?
A: The best containers for carrots are those that are deep and have good drainage.
Plastic pots, potato fabric bags, or 5-gallon buckets can all be suitable, provided they meet these criteria.
Q: How often should I water carrots in pots?
A: Watering frequency depends on soil dryness. Generally, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
In hot conditions, you may need to water every 2-3 days.
Q: Do carrots like full sun?
A: Yes, carrots generally prefer full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, they can tolerate some shade.
Final Thoughts On Growing Carrots in Pots Indoors
To be honest these carrots did not receive the best care. I missed some waterings and at the beginning, I did not give them enough light.
So there is definitely room for improvement and I am hoping they turn out fuller and more like the above picture next time I’m harvesting carrots in containers.
One thing I did learn is my 5-gallon pots are definitely deep enough to grow carrots in.
If you want to use fabric pots I recommend using potato pots because they are deeper.
If you found this blog post helpful or simply enjoyed reading about my experience, please feel free to like my video and subscribe to my Youtube Chanel. And don’t forget, keep it green!
Take care, everyone, and until next time, happy gardening!
Find out how to start your own Apartment Kitchen Garden
Here is a post that shows you how to grow carrots in pots indoors.
