How to Start Carrot Seeds Indoors
Carrots are an important source of nutrients in the human diet. According to the FDA, carrots are rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, iron and dietary fiber. Carrot seed is inexpensive, and you don't have to buy special pots to grow it in. It is simple to sprout in any container deep enough to accommodate the roots (about 4 inches). Rabbits love to munch on carrot tops, so starting carrot seeds indoors is an easy way to protect seedlings and get a head start on spring planting . Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Collect a few styrofoam cups or empty yogurt, sour cream or cottage cheese containers. Wash containers thoroughly and let them dry.
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2
Poke a small hole in the bottom of the cup with the point of a sharp pencil. Do not make the hole too wide; you just want water to be able to drain out of the bottom of the cup.
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3
Fill the cups with potting soil. Leave the soil loosely packed to promote long, straight root growth. Those roots will eventually become the carrots. Place the filled cups on a tray to catch the draining water.
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4
Plant carrot seeds by sprinkling a few of the tiny seeds onto the soil. Cover the seeds with 1/8 inch of new soil. Press down gently, and water thoroughly.
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5
Place the tray in a warm, sunny spot in your home. Install a grow light if your windows don't have a southern exposure that gets six hours of direct light each day.
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6
Wait about two weeks for the seeds to germinate and sprout, continuing to keep the soil moist and properly drained. Thin seedlings to three or four per cup if you get too many sprouts. Transplant outdoors when soil is warm to the touch. Repeat steps 1 through 5 to start a second crop and extend your carrot supply through summer.
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Tips & Warnings
Starting carrot seeds indoors is an easy way to introduce a child to the basics of vegetable gardening.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit carrots 2 image by Lee O"Dell from Fotolia.com
