Carrots are aneasy-to-grow vegetablein the garden that can be harvested about 60 to 80 days after theseeds are planted.

A great hint that it’s ready to pick?

The top “shoulder” of the carrot will be visible through the soil.

Close up of shovel and harvested carrots in garden

Inti St Clair / Getty Images

When Should You Harvest Carrots?

These immature carrots and their green tops can be washed and added to salads.

Larger cultivars can be harvested at around 50 days or when finger-sized if you enjoy tender, sweet carrots.

Harvesting the carrots from the ground

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

If you plan to store the carrots, they should be fully mature before removing from the soil.

Want more gardening tips?

see to it the soil is well-irrigated but not muddy.

Water the carrots well and then harvest the next day while the soil is moist.

The number of carrots you plan to eat within a month can be washed to remove the soil.

Carrots destined for longer storage should not be washed until you plan to eat them.

Mature carrots can be stored for four to six months.

Check them periodically and remove any carrots that show signs of rot.

Carrots should be at least one-half inch in diameter at the shoulder before they are picked.

Carrots can be left in the ground until the ground freezes solid.

Some growers claim that the roots are sweeter after a couple of light frosts.

However, once your variety reaches maturity, it is best to harvest the carrots.

Huge overgrown carrots may have a tough woody core.

Carrots can be harvested and eaten at any time.

Some people like the small, finger-sized roots the best.

However, carrots harvested before they are mature will not store well.