Although carrots are not usually considered a greenhouse crop, they can be grown in a greenhouse and harvested for a long time. Can you grow carrots in a greenhouse?
Yes, you can grow carrots in a greenhouse throughout the winter. However, carrots generally prefer to be cool and don’t do well in greenhouses during the hotter summer months. Choose a sunny spot with light, fertile soil and good drainage.
A greenhouse can help you plant and harvest carrots earlier in the spring or extend their harvest into the fall and winter. It’s important to maintain a proper climate and provide adequate water and sunlight.
How to Grow Carrots in a Greenhouse
Like growing vegetables in a field, growing carrots in a greenhouse requires careful management. Carrots can tolerate frost and they can also be weeded regularly to keep them healthy.
Step 1. Planting
Before sowing the seeds, rake the soil thoroughly. They should be planted thinly, and the rows should be spaced six inches apart. They can be planted in a larger planter or in the ground outside the greenhouse.
If you are planning on growing carrots in your greenhouse, then we highly suggest the Delta Park Raised Bed Modules. These are designed to fit on either side of the greenhouse.
Step 2. Thinning Seedlings
After about two to three weeks, remove the weak carrots and allow them to rest. Keep the rest of the plants 2 to 3 inches away from them to prevent bruising.
Step 3. Water Them Regularly
Since greenhouse carrots don’t receive any rainfall, they will need to be regularly watered. This will help them grow healthy and strong roots. They also need to be kept moist to prevent their soil from getting too soggy.
Each week, carrots require around 2.5 cm of water to grow properly. This is equivalent to around 2,300 liters of water per square meter. A simple way to check if you’re providing enough water is to place a rain gauge near the plants.
Keep the soil moist and avoid letting it dry out after planting. This will prevent the seeds from dying.
Step 4. Pest Control
A common pest to carrots is the carrot fly, which is attracted to the scent of wounded leaves. Harvesting at night and thinning the crop at night will help reduce the number of flies.
You can also use a fine mesh to enclose the soil around the growing seedlings. This will prevent the carrot fly from laying eggs in the soil.
These flies hatch and feed on carrots while they’re in the soil. They can end up in a worn or low-quality product.
A greenhouse can be a breeding ground for pests and diseases in a garden. Not only does it provide a perfect environment for carrots, but it can also attract various insects.
The smell of carrots attracts the larvae of the carrot fly, which then lay their eggs in the soil. Once they hatch, the flies will quickly consume the crop. There are many natural ways to prevent the infestation.
It’s important to check if carrots in a greenhouse are being attacked by pests or diseases before they become a big issue.
Step 5. Ready to Harvest
A greenhouse is a great place to grow carrots since it allows you to control the environment and provide the ideal conditions for their growing. This benefit can increase your harvest and provide you with a longer season.
This type of gardening is more labour intensive and requires more planning and attention to detail.
Before harvesting, the soil should be thoroughly moist. It should also be flatten and watered after the harvest to prevent the leaves from withering.
Related: Can You Grow Tomatoes In A Greenhouse In The Winter?
Things You Should Know Before Planting
Before you begin growing your own carrots in your greenhouse, you must first obtain the appropriate seeds and prepare the soil.
Carrot Seeds
If you leave carrots in the soil, they will bear seeds in the second year. There are two kinds of seeds: heirloom and hybrid. Heirloom seeds are produced by preserving them from a particular plant.
Carrot Soil
In a greenhouse, carrots can be planted directly on the ground, in containers, or in raised beds. They can also be grown in various ways depending on your goals and management plan.
Carrots do not like clay soils as it impedes their root growth. They prefer sandy, sand, or loamy soil. Mix a good amount of compost and work the soil so it doesn’t get too deep.
Coffee grounds can help nourish and improve the soil around your carrot patch. They can also add nitrogen and a bit of acidity to it.
Break up the lumps in the soil and create a structure that’s aerated. This will help the seedlings develop strong and deep roots.
Carrot Fertilizer
Don’t put manure on your soil. It will encourage the carrots to fork and produce short roots.
When Is the Right Timing to Sow Them?
They can thrive in cold weather conditions. They should be around 75 degrees Fahrenheit during daytime and 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can also be grown in your greenhouse throughout the year.
Heated VS Unheated Greenhouse for Carrots
One of the most important questions that people ask about growing vegetables in a greenhouse is whether it should be heated or unheated.
A heated greenhouse is ideal for keeping your carrots warm during the winter months. It allows you to plant them anytime, and it can grow them all year long. However, it comes with a higher heating bill and an environmental impact.
The concept of an unheated greenhouse is similar to how nature creates a warm environment using its own natural phenomena. However, since the power of the sun is limited in certain regions during winter, an unheated greenhouse can help you grow vegetables all year round.
Since carrots are prone to overheating, they should not be grown in a greenhouse during the summer. Make sure that the ventilation is adequate.
Growing Carrots in Winter
Although it’s possible to grow carrots all year long in a heated greenhouse, they can be stored in cold areas or on the ground all winter long. This method works even in colder regions since the straw helps keep the soil from freezing.
If the winters are mild enough, then you can plant carrots in late fall or early winter. They will do best if they are already up and growing since it is difficult to germinate in cold weather.
See how simple growing a carrot in your greenhouse is? Take advantage of carrots’ best health advantages right now. Raw carrots can be stored for up to 21 days at room temperature or two months at 39°F. They can be eaten raw or cooked.
