How to Grow Carrot in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
Sow direct into loose, stone-free soil; carrots resent transplanting. Keep the surface moist until germination, which can take up to three weeks. In Auckland and the warm north you can sow almost year-round, easing off only in the coldest weeks.
What it looks like as it grows
When to plant carrot in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December |
Best carrot varieties for NZ
- All Seasons, The Yates staple. Long tapered orange, good on deep sandy soil. Easiest general-purpose carrot in SEQ. (Yates NZ, Mitre 10, Mr Fothergill's NZ)
- Chantenay Red Cored, Short stubby heirloom with a deep red core. Excellent for SEQ heavy clay where long carrots fork. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ)
- Baby Amsterdam, Small fingerling carrot. Fast, sweet, perfect for shallow raised beds and containers. (Yates NZ, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Mitre 10)
- Paris Market, Round golf-ball shaped heirloom. Thrives in shallow or rocky soil where nothing else works. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Purple Dragon, Deep purple skin, orange core. Striking in salads, same growing habit as All Seasons. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow carrot
- Space plants about 5cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 85 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 18 days.
Companion planting
Grow carrot near: Lettuce, Onion, Leek, Rosemary, Sage, Chives, Tomato.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Carrot rust fly, Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
When it goes wrong
The most common ways carrot trips people up, and what to change next time:
Forked or twisted roots
Fresh manure, stones, or transplanting. Sow direct into a stone-free bed and never add fresh manure before carrots.
Lots of leaf, thin roots
Too much nitrogen or overcrowding. Go easy on rich feed and thin seedlings to about 5cm apart.
Poor patchy germination
Carrot seed is slow and hates drying out. Keep the row damp for the two to three weeks it takes, and sow into a fine tilth.
Tunnels through the roots
Carrot rust fly. Cover with fine mesh, avoid thinning on still evenings, and sow after the spring peak.
🌱 Plant Carrot in your garden →FAQ
When is the best time to plant carrot in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy carrot seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Yates NZ, Mitre 10, Mr Fothergill's NZ.