PPatch

Grow to Eat

When to plant Carrot in Australia

A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.

StartSow directLightFull sunTiming10–16 weeksDifficultyEasy
Carrot plant
Carrot · Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
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Australian planting calendar

Best months by climate

Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.

Tropical

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JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Aim for April, May, June, July.

Subtropical

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JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September.

Warm temperate

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JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait

Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.

Cool temperate

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JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March.

Mediterranean

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JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Semi-arid

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JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Arid

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JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September.

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Start well

Plant carrot with confidence

Sow direct. Sow about 5 mm, using clean seed-raising mix for trays and keeping the surface evenly moist until established.

Sowing or planting depth
about 5 mm
Germination or establishment
Often 14–28 days; do not let the shallow seed bed dry out while waiting.
Spacing
5–8 cm
Soil
Loose, stone-free soil that drains freely; usually ph 6.0–7.0.

Feeding

Support steady growth

Use mature compost and avoid excessive nitrogen, which can favour leaves over roots.

Water

Keep moisture balanced

Water consistently while roots swell, without leaving the bed waterlogged.

Maintenance

What to do as it grows

Thin seedlings rather than transplanting them, and cover exposed shoulders to reduce greening.

Harvest or display

Know when it is ready

10–16 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.

Problems and companions

Keep your patch healthy

Common watch-outs

Uneven watering, compacted soil and root-feeding pests can distort or split roots.

Useful neighbours

Leafy greens and small herbs can use nearby space without competing deeply; avoid overcrowding the root row.

People and pets

Safety note

No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.

Moving plants

Biosecurity note

Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.

Transparent guidance

How to use this guide

Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.

Last reviewed 3 September 2026