10 Carrot Lifecycle Facts

• Did you know that it takes a carrot two years to produce a seed? 

• This Featherstone Farm favorite is a biennial plant. This means that it takes two years to complete a full growing cycle! 

• Wild carrots are also known as Queen Anne’s Lace, Bishop’s Lace, Bird’s Nest, Bee’s Nest and Devil’s Plague. 

• The seed itself can be used to plant next year’s carrot or used as a culinary spice. Its flavor is often described as anis-like and earthy. 

• Carrot seed oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is a frequent ingredient in face wash, facial oil, and sunscreens. 

• From the time the seed is planted it takes 7-21 days before it germinates. As it starts to grow, it can be necessary to mound dirt around the shoulders of the root to prevent greening. 

• To overwinter carrots in climates with cold weather temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, it is actually necessary to harvest carrots, store them in a temperature-controlled environment in a ventilated container, and replant them in the spring. 

• Carrot seeds turn from green to tannish brown as they mature. When fully ripened, the seed detaches from the plant. 

• Harvested seeds need to be fully dried before storing them.

• Carrot seeds like it best when they’re stored in a cool, dark and dry place in an airtight container to keep out moisture and humidity. Carrot seeds can still be good for planting for up to six years when stored correctly!

• Bonus Fact: Featherstone Farm typically harvests 300,000 pounds of carrots every fall for CSA boxes and our local co-op partners. That’s a lot of seeds!