Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Little Finger Carrots are very tiny and very sweet gourmet heirloom carrots that only grow to about 3 to 5 inches long and 1 inch thick when matured. Since they are so petite, they are one of the few container-friendly root vegetables, making them a great variety for balcony or patio gardens and small hobby vegetable growers. Little Finger Carrots are crisp and tender; they pack a delicious flavor whether eaten raw, canned, pickled or cooked. Try pickling these carrots with Jalapeno Peppers for a classic Mexican topping to use on everything! These seeds can also be grown as microgreens!
NAME: Carrot (Daucus carota)
VARIETY: Little Finger
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60 – 85 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 10
TYPE: Annual
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Fertile, loose soil with a pH 6.0 – 6.5
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 – 24 inches
SPACING: 4 – 6 inches
TEMP: 40 – 80 °F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
While it is possible to start carrots outdoors. it’s not recommended due to their long taproot.
If starting indoors, sow Little Finger Carrot seeds in biodegradable pots or trays filled with loose, sandy soil 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date.
Plant the seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep in the soil and keep the soil consistently moist.
Place the trays in a location with plenty of sunlight or under grow lights.
Carrot seeds typically germinate within 14-21 days when kept at temperatures around 60-70°F (15-21°C).
Transplant outdoors carefully, ensuring minimal disturbance to the taproot.
Start seeds outdoors 3 to 5 weeks after your last frost; do not attempt to start indoors and transplant
Plant seeds 2 to 4 inches apart and 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep
Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist to ensure even, successful germination
Seedlings will emerge in 14 to 21 days
Once the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin carrots to 2 inches apart
Reseed as frequently as desired until 10 weeks before your first local fall/winter frost
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season, especially during hot and dry periods.
Mulch around the carrot plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.
Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer, as carrots do not require heavy feeding. Too much nitrogen can cause forked or hairy roots.
Monitor for common pests such as carrot rust flies, aphids, and slugs, and take appropriate measures to control them.
If your carrots are stunted and ball-like, it means that the soil was not prepared well enough; the carrot could not push through the compacted ground. Carrots will be irregular in shape and size, this is normal and natural.
Little Finger Carrots typically mature in 60-70 days.
Harvest Little Finger Carrots when they have reached the desired size, usually about 3-4 inches long and bright orange in color.
Gently loosen the soil around the carrots with a garden fork or trowel to avoid damaging the roots.
Pull the carrots straight up from the ground, grasping them near the base of the foliage.
Rinse off any dirt and trim off the tops before storing or consuming.
Carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks or preserved by freezing, canning, or pickling for longer-term storage.
