Growing carrots in San Diego is as easy as 1-2-3! You just need to plant them in loose, rich soil when the temperature is anywhere between 45 to 85˚F. Whether you plant them in raised beds or containers, you can easily grow carrots throughout the year.
When is the Best Time to Grow Carrots in San Diego?
The best time to grow carrots in San Diego or Southern California is from late summer to early spring. California weather lets us grow carrots all year round, but the most flavorful ones grow in mid-September and into early April.
If you’ve tried planting carrots during different times of the year, you’d notice a difference in taste and texture. While the plants look good, the carrots usually taste bland or bitter. Some of them even have a tough texture.
September is a great month to start planting carrots. The seeds start to germinate faster when the soil is warm – usually between 65 to 85 degrees. The University of California says that it takes six to seven days for carrots to emerge in warmer soil temperatures, while it would take 20 days in colder soil.
Here are some of the tips you should know about growing carrots in San Diego:
Prepare the Planting Bed
Carrots can grow in a raised bed or a container. To prepare the planting bed, turn the soil at least 12 inches deep. If your soil has too much clay in it, mix sand and well-aged compost. Remember that loose soil is best if you want to grow delicious carrots.
Water the Bed
Carrots thrive best in moist soil, so make sure to water the bed and let it sit for one to two days before sowing. An evenly watered soil is ideal for fast growth and germination.
Sow Carrot Seeds
Sow your carrot seeds thinly and evenly across your planting bed. The seeds should be spaced at least an inch apart to allow room for growth. Cover your seeds with ¼-inch potting soil and slightly press down. This ensures that your seeds are in contact with the soil.
Protect Your Carrot Seeds
Protect your seeds from excessive heat and heavy rains. If the weather is hot and dry, you can use burlap to cover your seeds. But make sure to remove it when they sprout. Cover your seeds with floating row covers to protect them from rain. Don’t forget to look under the cover every two days!
Remove Weeds and Keep the Soil Moist
As mentioned, carrots grow best in moist soil, so be sure to keep the soil well-watered. Deep and even watering encourages the roots to grow healthily. Also, make sure to pick the weeds that compete for growing space and soil moisture.
What are Some of the Best Vegetables to Grow in San Diego?
Aside from carrots, several other vegetables grow well in San Diego, like eggplant, cucumber, beets, and spinach. Spring season in Southern California is the perfect time to start planting. Aside from carrots, here are some of the plants you should grow in San Diego:
Cucumbers
You can plant cucumbers from March to May. They grow best in well-mulched and fertilized soil, but they need about a gallon of water every week. It’s best to invest in a rain barrel to ensure that your cucumbers are watered well.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in iron, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamins K and A. The best time to plant spinach in San Diego is between March and April so you can enjoy your harvest throughout summer.
Beets
Beets also grow well in Southern California and they’re relatively easy to grow. Just make sure to consistently water your beets for them to grow rapidly. Beets are great for detoxification. They’re high in vitamins and minerals that can lower the risk of certain diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Eggplant
If you want to add fiber to your diet, you can plant eggplants in your backyard! April is the best time to plant this delicious vegetable is during April. However, you need to pay close attention to your eggplants because they attract harmful critters and they’re prone to catch fungal diseases.
Peppers
Peppers not only add a strong kick to your dishes, but they can also boost your metabolism and help burn fat. Peppers thrive in warm, sunny climates, so they’re best planted in May.
Radishes
If you want a quick harvest, radishes are ready to harvest in about a month after planting. They’re easy to grow, so they’re a perfect starter vegetable. Just make sure to give them enough space to grow: two inches for small radishes and four inches for bug daikons and other storage radishes.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes grow well in the warm, sunny San Diego weather. As they’re growing, your tomatoes should get at least six hours of sunlight every day. Additionally, make sure they have enough space to grow vertically.
Why Is It Better to Grow Plants in a Greenhouse?
Greenhouses offer numerous benefits, like protecting your plants from harsh weather, insects, and other animals. Whether you’ve been planting vegetables for years or you just started your garden, here are some of the reasons why you should consider investing in a greenhouse:
Grow plants throughout the year
For your plants to grow healthy, they need an adequate amount of water, space, and sun. It can be a challenge to grow plants in colder areas. This is why investing in a greenhouse gives you an advantage. You can create your own microclimate in your greenhouse to support the growth of your vegetables all year round.
Protect your plant from pests and rough weather
Pests and rough weather can destroy all your hard work. By placing your plants in a greenhouse, you can prevent pests, heavy rains, and excessive heat from destroying your crops.
Grow plants organically
By growing plants in a greenhouse, you don’t have to use harmful chemicals to keep pests away.
Final Thoughts on Growing Carrots in San Diego
Growing carrots in San Diego is easy if you have the right tools and resources. To create the perfect growth environment for your plants, you’ll need to set up a strong and durable greenhouse that’s made with hot-dipped galvanized pipes that are able to withstand harsh weather conditions. To get started with your greenhouse gardening experience, get in touch with Krostrade to purchase your first greenhouse today!