It’s fun and rewarding to grow your own vegetables, and carrots are one of the best ones to grow. When they’re fresh from the garden, they taste sweet and crunchy like nothing else.
While carrots thrive in garden beds, you can also grow them very successfully in grow bags. This allows even urban gardeners with limited space to enjoy a bountiful harvest.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about growing carrots in grow bags. From choosing the right bag and soil, to sowing seeds, caring for your crops, and harvesting, you’ll learn proven tips and techniques for carrot growing success.
Why Grow Carrots in Bags?
Carrots are known as a root crop. This means they need loose friable soil to develop properly. Heavy clay or rocky soil will make roots grow slowly and in the wrong way.
Grow bags allow you to control the soil environment. They can be filled with a light potting mix that drains well and has the right texture for carrots to grow well.
Bags are also portable and take up little space. They’re ideal for small yards, patios, and balconies. You can move them around to find the perfect sunny spot.
Carrots are cold hardy so you can grow them year-round in grow bags. As long as they get 6-8 hours of sun daily, you can produce crops in any season.
Choosing the Right Grow Bag
Look for durable fabric bags that won’t tear or degrade in the elements. I recommend a bag that’s at least 12 inches deep so carrots have room to grow.
Potato grow bags work well, or you can find tall, narrow bags specifically made for root crops. Make sure yours has drainage holes in the bottom.
For a single bag, select a 3-5 gallon size. This will comfortably hold around 5-6 carrots. Scale up for larger harvests.
Prepare Your Soil Mix
Carrots need light, sandy soil. Use a store-bought organic potting mix made for containers to do this in a bag.
You can blend in compost or coir to enrich it. But avoid garden soils that will compact and inhibit root growth.
Before planting, mix in an all-purpose organic fertilizer according to package directions. This will provide nutrients to help your carrots thrive.
Moisten the soil before filling your bag. Carrots germinate best when soil is kept evenly moist.
When to Sow Carrot Seeds
You can sow carrots as soon as the ground thaws in early spring. They love cool weather and can withstand frost.
For a fall crop, plant another batch 8-10 weeks before your first expected fall frost. Shelter fall carrots under a cold frame or greenhouse if needed.
Sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks for a steady supply. Soak seeds in water the night before planting to speed germination.
How to Plant Seeds in a Grow Bag
Scatter seeds across the soil surface, spacing about 1 inch apart. Try to sow them as evenly as possible.
Cover with 1/4 inch of soil or potting mix. Gently water to moisten and compress the layer.
Lay garden fabric over the bag to retain moisture while seeds germinate. This takes 10-21 days. Remove fabric once sprouts appear.
Thinning is Crucial!
For straight, well-formed carrots, it’s vital to thin overcrowded seedlings. Wait until they reach 1-2 inches tall.
Pull out the smaller seedlings, leaving the healthiest ones spaced 2-3 inches apart. This allows room for roots to expand.
Thin in the evening to avoid attracting carrot rust flies, which are drawn to the smell of bruised foliage.
Caring for Your Carrots
Carrots have a high water content. Check soil daily and water when the top 1-2 inches become dry. Avoid letting bags completely dry out.
Side dress with a nitrogen fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. This fuels leafy top growth.
Use row cover fabric to shelter seedlings and prevent insect pests like leafminers. Remove during flowering for pollination.
How to Harvest Carrots from Grow Bags
Most varieties are ready to harvest 60-80 days from sowing seeds. Tops will become bushy with mature foliage.
Test size by gently pulling on greens. Roots should be 3/4–1 inch across at top when ready to pick.
Loosen soil with a trowel and pull up entire plants. Remove foliage right away and compost greens.
Storing Your Fresh Carrot Crop
Before storing, twist off tops while leaving 1 inch of stems. Scrub carrots and pat dry.
Place unwashed carrots in a container, cover with water, and store in the fridge. Change water every 5-7 days.
Carrots will keep this way for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, freeze, dehydrate, or pickle them.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Carrots in Grow Bags:
- Picking the Right Grow Bag: A deep bag is best for medium-sized carrots that grow to be 5 to 7 inches tall so the roots have plenty of room to grow. 247Gardens 10-Gallon Tall Aeration Fabric Pot (19H x 12. 5D) is a good place to start for a small option, but the 15-Gallon Tall Pot (21H x 14D) might be better for bigger crops. 5D) or even the 20-Gallon Tall Pot (23H x 16D).
- How to Prepare the Soil: Fill the grow bag with a loose, well-draining mix that is high in organic matter. Avoid soil with large clumps that could obstruct root growth. It works well to mix potting soil and compost, and you might want to add perlite to help the soil drain better.
- Carrots can be put about 2 inches apart, which is what you’ve done. This should give each carrot enough space to grow fully without being crowded. If you plant a few too close together, the carrots will still grow, but they will be different shapes.
- Carrot seeds should be sown directly into the grow bag, about 1/4 inch deep. Once seedlings are about 1 to 2 inches tall, thin them out. Keep the strongest plants and keep the 2-inch spacing.
- Sunlight and Watering: Carrots need regular water, so keep the soil moist but not soaked. It is important to water grow bags often because they dry out faster than in-ground beds. Put the bag somewhere that gets full sun—at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
- In order to feed the seedlings, use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 once they are established. Carrots don’t need too much nitrogen because it can make the leaves grow faster than the roots.
- When to harvest: Depending on the type, your carrots will be ready in 70 to 80 days. Loosen the soil around the carrots’ tops a little and take them out of the bag.
How to Grow Carrots in a Grow Bag or Large Container
FAQ
Do carrots grow well in grow bags?
Carrots, being a root crop, simply won’t develop properly in heavy clay or stony soils. For best appearance and a sweet flavor, they need soil that’s friable, well-drained, neutral to alkaline, and not too rich in nitrogen. Grow Bags are a good option for urban gardeners, who often have little space but plenty of sun.
How many carrots can I plant in a 15 gallon Grow Bag?
* 10 carrot plants in the 7 gallon container. * 15 carrots plants in the 15 gallon container. Day 54 after sowing seeds! From seed to harvest should be about 75 to 90 days.
What is the best month to plant carrots?
What Time of Year Should I Plant Carrots? Carrots do best when planted in early spring or fall in most places. Plant carrot seeds outside in the spring, about two to three weeks before the last frost date, and make sure the soil is at least 45°F. This will give you a harvest in early summer.
How deep does soil need to be for carrots?
To help carrot roots grow properly, the soil should be broken up to a depth of 12 to 16 inches for most types.