How to Transplant Carrots

Transplanting carrot seedlings is a smart way to give your new plants a better shot at surviving in an outdoor garden if weather conditions are too cold. Since Temperature is a critical factor for carrots.

How to Prepare Carrot Seedlings

Begin by preparing the ground for the seedlings. Space holes about two to three inches apart, depending upon the carrot variety. Larger carrot varieties, naturally, will need more room than smaller ones. The holes need only be deep enough to accommodate the roots.

The advantage of taking this initial step is that you minimize the time that the seedlings are out of the soil and subject to drying out. To plant them, ease a single plant apart gently from the other plants. Take care not to damage the seedling.

All parts of the plant are delicate and easy to tear at this stage. Once separated, place each plant into a hole, adding soil around the root to keep the plant upright. John Hughes demonstrates the process.

From the carrot’s perspective, there is another advantage in addition to temperature. Separating carrot seedlings early in the game reduces competition from other plants, including other carrots. Carrots don’t handle competition well, giving them their spot when they’re young gives them an edge.

When is ready for transplanting

You should wait until your carrot seedlings are about an inch high before transplanting. You want to do this when they’ve set down a root of at least equal size, but before they become entangled with other seedlings. The key to success is a gentle hand.