Harvesting Carrots: Easy to Grow!
A simple and satisfying vegetable to grow is the carrot. Planting from seed directly in the soil and harvesting 2-3 months later doesn’t get much easier. Enjoy the following tips and methods for harvesting and storing carrots.
At the end of April, I planted two varieties of carrots in one raised bed. The first row was a bit of a mystery because the seeds were free from our public library (how cool is that?), and they were simply labeled carrots. The second row was Little Finger carrot seeds purchased at our local garden center. Both are looking ready to harvest, so let’s get to it!
When to Harvest Carrots
You’re not alone in wondering how to know when carrots are ready to be pulled. After all, they are hidden underground in the dirt. It’s not like watching a tomato ripen and turn red, right? So how do you know when carrots are ready to be harvested?
Carrots are Ready to be Pulled When:
- You have passed the amount of time detailed on your seed packet-anywhere from 50-90 days depending upon the variety.
- When the carrot greens are standing full, tall and tipping over a bit.
- When you see the orange carrot top peeking (aka: shoulders) up out of the soil.
You can also leave them in the ground longer and pull them as you need them. However, don’t leave carrots too long or they will start to flower and become tough or woody. I left my fall carrots in the ground for quite a while last year with no problem.
Ginger Tip!
Take the time to jot down the harvest date window for your specific carrots seeds on a calendar. I use my smartphone and garden journal to keep track of planting dates and upcoming harvest dates.
How to Pull Carrots
Harvesting carrots is quite simple and oddly satisfying! Grasp the carrot greens close to the top of the carrot and gently wiggle the carrot loose from the soil. Slowly pull it up and shake off the dirt. It’s that simple!
You do not need to pull all of your carrots at once. In fact, I like to pull one or two when I need it. I can do this for a few weeks in early summer, longer with the fall harvest.
How to Store Harvested Carrots
After you are done harvesting your carrots, immediately hose the dirt off outside, clip the greens and seal tightly in a plastic bag until you can process them. Letting them lie around in the sun while you do other garden tasks will make them soften faster. This is the short term storage step. There’s more to do!
My chickens love the greens!
After I am done gardening and have time to focus on my carrot harvest, I focus on longer storage plans.
Storing Carrots in the Refrigerator
If I plan to use the carrots within the week, I put them in a jar of fresh water and place in the fridge. I’ve also heard of the wet paper towel method where you wrap the carrot in a wet paper towel and place in a plastic bag in the fridge.
Ginger Tip!
If you put fresh carrots in the fridge, they tend to get limp. Water is key to keep them crisp.
Storing Carrots in the Freezer
If I need to store carrots longer than a week, I freeze them. After they are washed and clipped, I peel and throw the shavings into my countertop composter, Lomi. This will then end up back in the garden and not in a landfill. Score for Mother Nature!
- Chop them up into chunks.
- Blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
- Place in ice bath for 2 minutes.
- Freeze on a sheet pan to keep the pieces from sticking together into one giant clump.
- Store the frozen carrots in a freezer bag for up to twelve months.
Ginger Tip!
Mark the date on the bag of when to use it by, not the date you froze them. That way when you see them months later in the freezer, you won’t have to count backwards to figure out if they are still good.
If you are short on time and just need to get them in the freezer, you can prep and skip the blanching/ice bath. However, the un-blanched carrots should only be frozen for up to two months. Mark your freezer bag accordingly.
Frozen carrots are best suited for cooking in soups and stews, not eating fresh.
Harvesting and storing homegrown carrots is fast and simple!
Enjoy using your carrots in the following recipes:
Harvesting jalapeños and cucumbers are also easy! Check out more here:
This is such a helpful post as a first year gardener who is ready to start harvesting! I can’t wait to read more of your harvesting posts!
I’m so glad you found it helpful!