Freighter View Farms

It’s that time of year again—my late summer carrot harvest! There’s something about this moment that always feels special. I don’t pull up all my carrots at once, but this first big haul is one I look forward to. For me, carrots are like hidden treasures, waiting underground to be discovered. You plant them in mid-spring, care for them through the season, but the real magic happens when you finally get to pull them from the soil. It’s like unwrapping a gift—you don’t know what you’re going to find until you reveal it!

I like to think of growing carrots as a bit of a mystery every season. They’re buried beneath the soil, quietly doing their thing, and there’s that sense of excitement every time I pull one up. How big will it be? How vibrant? It’s like a little surprise, just for you. And when I finally tug on those greens and out pops a bright orange carrot—it’s like Christmas in the garden.

Speaking of that, if you ever wondered when your carrots are ready to harvest, the answer’s simple—they’ll tell you. As they grow, you’ll start to see their “shoulders” peeking up out of the soil. That’s their way of letting you know they’re ready. When those tops look thick and healthy, it’s time. But don’t go yanking them out just yet! I like to gently loosen the soil around them first. Then, with a quick pull, you’ll get that perfect carrot, freshly unearthed and ready to enjoy.

One of my favorite things about growing carrots is leaving some in the ground until just before the first frost. This is where the magic happens. As the temperatures drop, the cold triggers a change in the carrot. The plant converts its stored starches into sugars, making the carrots sweeter and even more flavorful. By the time I pull the last ones, it’s right before the ground freezes, and I have sweet, fresh carrots for the Christmas season. It’s like nature’s little holiday gift, straight from the garden.

Here’s another tip: carrots store beautifully right in the ground. In a way, it’s like having my refrigerator connected to my garden. They stay fresh, tucked underground, and I just harvest them when I need them. It’s such a joy to walk out in December, brush off a little snow, and pull up a sweet, crisp carrot to enjoy. It’s like having a living pantry right outside my door.

If you’re gardening in zone 6a like me, don’t pack it in at Labor Day. The growing season can extend well into the cold months, and carrots are perfect for that. They handle the chill and keep growing strong, making them a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to stretch the season.

And if you’re working with a small garden space, carrots are your friend. You can grow a big crop in just a small square-foot garden. They don’t need much space, and yet, you get so much out of them. There’s nothing like the feeling of pulling up a bunch of carrots, knowing they came from your own little garden.

So, if you’ve ever thought about growing carrots, I hope this inspires you to try. Whether it’s the joy of harvesting them in late summer, the sweetness of a December pull, or the thrill of discovering what’s been growing beneath your feet all season long, carrots are a garden treasure. I hope to see you out there, digging up your own little gifts from the soil. Happy gardening!