All carrots can be harvested immature as baby roots, which tend to be crunchy but tender, and quite sweet. They can also be left to reach their full size, shape, and colour, of course. All carrots are high in beta-carotene, a pigment that we metabolize as vitamin A when we eat it. Because of the relatively vertical nature of the plant’s form, carrots can be grown fairly densely, and are therefore useful within the economy of space in a smaller growing area. The seeds can be sown from early spring right through late August. The first main trick with carrot seeds is to sow them shallowly and then maintain moisture in that top layer of soil until they germinate. Make sure the seeds are only just buried. Water the area with the gentlest stream you can provide, and keep it constantly moist until the seeds sprout. Because they may take as long as three weeks to germinate. Grow carrots in full sun; carrots will grow slowly in partial shade. Plant carrots in deep, loose, well-worked, and well-drained soil. Remove clods, rocks, and solid objects from planting beds before sowing seed; carrots will split, fork, and become malformed if their roots grow into obstructions. Carrots prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8. Carrots are a cool-weather crop best grown in spring, early summer, and autumn. Carrots require a soil temperature of about 45°to 85F° (7 – 29 °C) to germinate; germination will be slow in cold soil. Carrots grow best at an average temperature of 60° to 65° F (15 – 18 °C). Sow carrot seed ¼ to ½ inch (0,6 – 1,2) cm deep about 1 inch (2,5 cm) apart; in warm, dry weather sow carrot seed deeper than ½ inch (1,2 cm) . Germination will occur in 14 to 21 days; keep the seedbed just moist until germination. Soil crusting will slow germination. To prevent crusting cover seed with vermiculite or peat moss instead of garden soil. Keep carrots evenly moist to ensure quick growth. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Reduce watering as roots approach maturity; Thinning carrots is very important. Thin carrots when seedlings are about 2 inches (5 cm) tall, thin plants to stand 2 inches (5 cm) apart in rows; snip off weak plants at the crown; do not disturb the roots of plants that remain; at midseason, thin again; pull up some baby carrots leaving equal space between carrots that will remain to grow on to full size. Keep planting beds well weeded. Shallow cultivation is necessary to avoid damaging carrot roots. Standard and large carrot varieties are not a good choice for containers, but short or finger varieties will grow easily in containers. Half-long varieties can be grown in deep containers. Plant carrots in wide rows in square or rectangular containers, or in concentric circles in a round container. Carrots can be left in the ground until ready to use as long as the ground does not freeze. Carrots will keep in the refrigerator or root cellar for 1 to 3 months. Blanched carrots will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.