Commercial Production of Carrots in Mississippi
A cross section of a carrot root shows two distinct regions, an outer core and an inner core. High-quality carrots are those with a relatively large outer core and little color difference between regions. It is difficult to grow quality carrots in Mississippi.
Soils
Carrots require deep, loose, well-drained sandy loam soil or loams with a slightly acid reaction. On clay soils, carrots produce more leaves and forked roots. Soil preparation is particularly important with carrots, because the seeds are so small and early seedling growth is so slow. Work the soil to produce a firm, well-pulverized seedbed. Raised beds can be helpful where more drainage is desirable.
Varieties
Carrots are generally classified according to root shape (blunt or pointed) and root length.- Blunt, short type:
- Oxheart
- Blunt, half-long type:
- Chantenay
- Pointed, half-long type:
- Danvers Half Long
- Pointed, long-type:
- Imperator
- Fresh-market varieties:
- Imperator Long 58, Orlando Gold, Scarlet Nantes
- Processing varieties:
- Red Cored Chantenay, Royal Chantenay, Danvers 126
Planting Dates
Approximate planting dates are given for different regions in Mississippi.| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Counties | July 15 - Oct. 15 | Jan. 1 - Apr. 15 |
| South Central | July 15 - Oct. 15 | Jan. 1 - Apr. 15 |
| Central | July 15 - Sept. 15 | Jan. 15 - Apr. 15 |
| North Central | July 15 - Sept. 10 | Feb. 15 - Apr. 15 |
| North | July 15 - Sept. 10 | Feb. 15 - Apr. 15 |
Spacing and Seed Rate
Seeding is the most critical operation in carrot production. Do not cover seeds more than 1/8 to 3/8 inch deep. You may use a special plant shoe called "spreader shoe." This shoe plants a band of carrots 2 inches wide. Single- or double-row beds are usually 36 to 42 inches on center. You can get maximum yields per acre with 3 rows spaced 18 inches apart on a 48-inch-wide bed (5 to 6 feet on center).
| Carrot type | Seed per foot of row |
Final stand per foot of row |
Pounds of seed per acre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing | 12 to 18 | 8 to 9 | 1 to 2 |
| Fresh market | 18 to 24 | 12 to 14 | 2 to 4 |
Order medium to large seeds (150,000 to 180,000 per pound) to get more seedling vigor and better stands.
Fertilizer
Apply fertilizer according to soil test results. As a general recommendation for medium-fertility soils, broadcast 50 pounds ammonium nitrate and 400 pounds of 8-24-24 per acre. Apply another 75 to 100 pounds of ammonium nitrate if soil becomes heavily leached.
Irrigation
To prevent soil drying, apply ½ to ¾ inch of water every 4 to 7 days until carrots emerge. After emergence, irrigate weekly for the first 3 weeks. After the crop is established, irrigate as necessary to keep the crop growing.
Weed Control
Weed control is particularly important when the seedlings are young, because they grow so slowly. Herbicides that may be used include linuron (Lorox), bensulide (Prefar), glyphosate (Roundup), Stoddard solvent, and trifluralin (Treflan). Follow manufacturer's label carefully when applying these chemicals.
Disease Control
Damping-off may occur as carrot seedlings emerge. Control by using treated seeds.Leafspot diseases may occur later in the season. Control with Bravo at 1.0 to 1.5 pounds active ingredient per acre.
Insect Control
Leafhoppers, armyworms, and carrot worms feed on carrots. When insects are present, apply Sevin at 1 pound active ingredient per acre.
Harvesting
Some carrots are harvested with tops (bunch carrots), but most are harvested without tops (bulk carrots). Carrots sold in 1-pound film bags are topped and placed in field bags; they are then transported to a packaging shed for washing, grading, and packaging.Carrot "lifters" loosen the soil around the roots so they can be pulled from the soil with minimum breakage. Beet harvesters are sometimes used for processing carrots.
There are several carrot harvesters that pull top, and load carrots into bulk boxes. Carrots can be harvested by mowing the tops and lifting with a modified sweetpotato harvester.
Grading
Carrots for processing are usually a minimum of 1½ inches at the shoulder and 4 or more inches long. Fresh-market carrots are harvested when they reach ¾ to 1½ inches in diameter.
Storage
Carrots will keep for 4 to 5 months in 90 to 95 percent humidity at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yield
Carrots for processing average 12 to 14 tons per acre (30-ton yield is possible). Fresh-market carrots yield 8 to 12 tons per acre (20 tons possible).
Costs
| Seed, fertilizer, chemicals | $ 414 |
| Harvesting, hauling, packing | $1,715 |
| Fixed costs (rent, machinery, taxes) | $ 154 |
- Break-even
- Processed carrots 13 tons yield = $176 per ton
- Fresh carrots:
- 10 tons per yield
= $229 per ton or
11.5 cents per pound
By Dr. David Nagel, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Information Sheet
1502
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress,
May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
Copyright by
Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational
purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
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