Succession Planting Carrots in Santa Cruz County: How to Harvest Fresh Carrots Year-Round
There's a common frustration among home gardeners: you plant carrots in spring, wait patiently for months, then suddenly have more carrots than you can eat. Two weeks later, they're gone, and you're back to buying bland supermarket roots until next year.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Succession planting (sowing small batches of seeds at regular intervals throughout the year) transforms your carrot patch from a once-a-year event into a continuous harvest. And here in Santa Cruz County, our mild Mediterranean climate makes this easier than almost anywhere else in the country. While gardeners in colder regions are limited to a few months of planting, we can sow carrots in every month of the year with the right timing and variety selection.
This guide will show you exactly how to plan, plant, and harvest carrots year-round in Santa Cruz County's diverse microclimates.
Why Succession Plant Carrots?
The Problem with Single Plantings
When you plant all your carrots at once, several things happen:
Feast or famine: You get a massive harvest all at once, far more than you can eat fresh. Then nothing for months.
Storage pressure: Suddenly you need to process, freeze, or find refrigerator space for pounds of carrots.
Quality decline: Carrots left in the ground too long become woody, crack, or bolt. But harvesting them all means no more fresh carrots.
Wasted garden space: After harvest, that bed sits empty (or you scramble to plant something else).
The Succession Planting Solution
By planting small amounts every 3-4 weeks, you create a continuous pipeline:
Steady harvest: Pull just what you need, when you need it. Fresh carrots every week.
Better quality: Harvest each planting at peak maturity with no overgrown, woody carrots.
Less waste: No gluts to process or store. Everything gets eaten fresh.
Efficient space use: As you harvest one section, the next is maturing. The bed stays productive.
Risk management: If one planting fails (pests, poor germination, weather), you have others coming along.
Santa Cruz County's Year-Round Advantage
Most gardening books assume you can only plant carrots in spring and maybe late summer. That advice is written for places with frozen winters and scorching summers. We play by different rules.
What Makes Year-Round Carrots Possible Here
Mild winters: Our soil rarely freezes, so carrots keep growing (slowly) through winter and can be harvested anytime.
Cool summers: Coastal fog and marine influence keep summer temperatures moderate enough for carrot germination in most areas.
Long growing season: With 300+ frost-free days in many locations, we're not racing against a hard deadline.
Diverse microclimates: When it's too hot in Watsonville, it might be perfect in foggy Aptos. When coastal areas are too cool for quick germination, sunny Boulder Creek warms things up.
Month-by-Month Reality Check
While we can plant year-round, each season has its considerations:
Winter (December-February): Slow growth due to short days, but carrots planted now produce spring harvests. Germination is slow but reliable in our mild temperatures.
Spring (March-May): Prime planting season. Fast germination, steady growth, early summer harvest.
Summer (June-August): Challenging for germination due to heat. Coastal areas have the advantage. Critical window for fall/winter harvest plantings.
Fall (September-November): Excellent planting conditions. Moderate temperatures, increasing moisture. These plantings overwinter for late winter/spring harvest.
Planning Your Succession Planting Schedule
The key to successful succession planting is working backward from when you want to harvest, accounting for seasonal variations in growth rate.
Understanding Days to Maturity
Seed packets list "days to maturity," but this number assumes ideal conditions. In reality:
Spring/Summer: Carrots often mature 1-2 weeks faster than listed
Fall: Add 1-2 weeks to listed days
Winter: Add 3-4 weeks (or more) due to slow growth in short days
A 70-day carrot planted in March might be ready in 65 days. The same carrot planted in November might take 90-100 days.
Planting Frequency
For continuous harvest, plant new successions every 3-4 weeks during active growing season (March-October). During winter months, you can skip new plantings since growth is minimal. Focus on harvesting fall-planted carrots instead.
Recommended schedule:
March through September: Plant every 3 weeks
October: Final outdoor succession (for late winter harvest)
November through February: Harvest existing plantings; minimal new sowing
How Much to Plant Each Time
This depends on how many carrots your household eats. A general guideline:
2-person household: 2-3 feet of row per succession
4-person household: 4-6 feet of row per succession
Carrot lovers: Double the above
A 4-foot row, thinned to proper spacing, yields approximately 20-30 carrots. Adjust based on your actual consumption.
Succession Planting Calendar by Microclimate
Santa Cruz County's microclimates significantly affect planting timing. Use this calendar as a starting point, then adjust based on your specific conditions.
| Microclimate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Aptos, Capitola, Live Oak |
● | ● | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ● | harvest | harvest |
| San Lorenzo Valley Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond |
— | ● | ★ | ★ | ★ | shade | shade | ★ | ★ | ● | harvest | harvest |
| Under Redwoods Felton, shaded canyons |
— | — | ● | ★ | ★ | ★ | ● | ● | ● | — | harvest | harvest |
| Inland Valleys Scotts Valley, Soquel Hills |
— | ● | ★ | ★ | ★ | shade | shade | ★ | ★ | ● | harvest | harvest |
| Pajaro Valley Watsonville area |
● | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | hot | skip | ● | ★ | ★ | ● | harvest |
Coastal Areas (Aptos, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Live Oak)
Advantages: Cool summers allow easier summer sowing; mild winters Challenges: Fog slows growth; summer soil can stay cold
| Planting Window | Harvest Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 - February 15 | May - June | Slow start; reliable |
| March 1 - March 21 | June - July | Prime spring planting |
| April 1 - April 21 | July - August | Good conditions |
| May 1 - May 21 | August - September | Watch for bolting in warm spells |
| June 1 - June 21 | September - October | Excellent coastal window |
| July 1 - July 21 | October - November | Start overwinter crop |
| August 1 - August 15 | November - January | Main overwinter planting |
| September 1 - September 21 | January - March | Late fall sowing |
| October 1 - October 15 | March - April | Final sowing before slowdown |
San Lorenzo Valley - Sunny Exposures (Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond)
Advantages: Warmer soil for germination; good cold-sweetening in winter Challenges: Summer heat can stress seedlings; more frost risk
| Planting Window | Harvest Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| February 15 - March 7 | May - June | After last hard frost |
| March 15 - April 7 | June - July | Prime season |
| April 15 - May 7 | July - August | Excellent growth |
| May 15 - June 7 | August - September | Afternoon shade helpful |
| June 15 - July 7 | September - October | Challenging; shade and water critical |
| July 15 - August 7 | November - December | Overwinter planting begins |
| August 15 - September 7 | December - February | Cold-sweetened harvest |
| September 15 - October 7 | February - March | Protect from early frost |
Under the Redwoods (Felton, Shaded Ben Lomond, Parts of Scotts Valley)
Advantages: Naturally cool; less watering needed Challenges: Low light slows growth year-round; shorter planting windows
| Planting Window | Harvest Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March 1 - March 21 | June - July | After soil warms |
| April 1 - April 21 | July - August | Best spring window |
| May 1 - May 21 | August - September | Good light levels |
| June 1 - June 21 | September - October | Peak summer light |
| July 1 - July 15 | October - November | Transition to fall |
| August 1 - August 15 | December - February | Overwinter; extra time needed |
| September 1 - September 15 | February - April | Final fall sowing |
Inland Valleys (Scotts Valley, Soquel Hills)
Advantages: Good balance of warmth and mild conditions Challenges: Can get hot in summer; variable frost
| Planting Window | Harvest Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| February 1 - February 21 | May - June | Early start possible |
| March 1 - March 21 | June - July | Prime planting |
| April 1 - April 21 | July - August | Fast growth |
| May 1 - May 21 | August - September | Good conditions |
| June 1 - June 21 | September - October | Shade cloth helpful |
| July 1 - July 21 | October - November | Heat stress possible |
| August 1 - August 21 | November - January | Overwinter begins |
| September 1 - September 21 | January - March | Excellent fall planting |
| October 1 - October 15 | March - April | Final succession |
Pajaro Valley / Watsonville
Advantages: Warm soil; long season; agricultural heritage Challenges: Hotter summers; more pest pressure.
| Planting Window | Harvest Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 - February 7 | April - May | Earliest plantings |
| February 15 - March 7 | May - June | Good conditions |
| March 15 - April 7 | June - July | Prime window |
| April 15 - May 7 | July - August | Fast maturity |
| May 15 - June 7 | August - September | Heat increasing |
| July 15 - August 7 | October - November | Resume after heat peak |
| August 15 - September 7 | November - January | Overwinter planting |
| September 15 - October 7 | January - March | Excellent conditions |
| October 15 - November 7 | March - April | Extended fall window |
Best Varieties for Succession Planting
Different seasons call for different varieties. Here's how to choose:
| Variety | Days | Best Seasons | Why It Works | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaya Nantes type | 56 | Spring Summer Fall | Fast, reliable germination; consistent performance across conditions | Available locally at Renee's Garden Seeds (Felton) |
| Mokum Nantes type | 54 | Spring Summer | Exceptionally sweet; matures quickly even in cool soil | Best eaten fresh; tender texture |
| Napoli Nantes type | 58 | Spring Summer Fall | Bred for maritime climates; handles fog and cool conditions | Excellent for coastal gardens |
| Nelson Nantes type | 58 | Spring Fall Winter | Excellent cold tolerance; good disease resistance | Great for early spring and late fall plantings |
| Bolero Nantes type | 75 | Spring Fall Winter | Disease-resistant; strong tops; crack-resistant; stores well | The workhorse variety; ideal for overwinter plantings |
| Scarlet Nantes Nantes type | 68 | Spring Fall | Classic variety; documented aster yellows tolerance | Good where leafhopper pressure is high |
| Adelaide Baby type | 50 | Summer | Fastest maturity; reaches baby size quickly | Ideal for filling gaps or container planting |
| Negovia Nantes/Berlicum | 65 | Spring Fall | Excellent flavor; good disease resistance; stores well | Strong performer across seasons |
Quick-Maturing Varieties (50-60 days)
Best for: Filling gaps, summer plantings, impatient gardeners
Yaya (56 days) - Nantes type, widely available locally from Renee's Garden Seeds. Reliable and sweet. Excellent for succession planting due to consistent performance.
Mokum (54 days) - Exceptionally sweet, tender Nantes type. Great for eating fresh. Matures quickly even in cool conditions.
Adelaide (50 days) - Baby carrot size at maturity. Perfect for quick harvests and containers. Plant densely; harvest young.
Napoli (58 days) - Bred for maritime climates like ours. Handles fog and cool soil well. Sweet flavor.
Main Season Varieties (65-75 days)
Best for: Spring and fall plantings, larger roots
Bolero (75 days) - The workhorse variety. Disease-resistant, strong tops, excellent storage. Ideal for any planting from February through September.
Nelson (58 days) - Nantes type with excellent cold tolerance. Good for early spring and fall successions when temps are variable.
Scarlet Nantes (68 days) - Classic variety with balanced performance. Tolerant of aster yellows, which is present year-round in our area.
Negovia (65 days) - Nantes/Berlicum cross with excellent flavor and disease resistance. Strong performer across seasons.
Storage and Overwintering Varieties (70-80 days)
Best for: July-September plantings intended for winter harvest
Bolero (75 days) - Yes, it appears twice. It's that good. Exceptional for overwintering with disease resistance for wet winters.
Yellowstone (72 days) - Yellow variety that stores exceptionally well. Adds color variety to winter harvests.
Purple Haze (70 days) - Purple exterior, orange interior. Stunning color; good storage. Fun addition to succession rotation.
Variety Rotation Strategy
For maximum flavor variety and risk management, rotate through different varieties:
Spring: Yaya, Nelson, Scarlet Nantes
Summer: Napoli, Mokum, Adelaide
Fall: Bolero, Negovia, Yellowstone
Overwinter: Bolero, Nelson, Purple Haze
Planting Technique for Succession Success
Bed Preparation
If you're planting in the same bed throughout the year, prepare the entire bed once in early spring:
Loosen soil to 12 inches deep
Remove all rocks and debris
Incorporate finished compost (avoid fresh manure)
Rake smooth
For successive plantings, simply rake the section you're planting and sow. The previous preparation remains effective for the full season.
Dividing Your Bed
For organized succession planting, divide your carrot bed into sections:
Option 1: Linear sections Divide a 4x8 foot bed into four 2-foot sections. Plant one section every 3 weeks. By the time you've planted all four, the first is nearly ready to harvest.
Option 2: Rows Plant 2-3 rows at each succession, spaced across the bed. Label each planting date with markers.
Option 3: Separate small beds If you have multiple raised beds, dedicate one small bed (or section) to each succession. Easier to track but requires more space.
Sowing Seeds
Carrot seeds are tiny and slow to germinate. For succession planting success:
Sow thinly: Overcrowding is the #1 cause of small, misshapen carrots. Aim for seeds ½ inch apart; you'll thin later.
Plant shallow: ¼ inch deep only. Deeper planting dramatically reduces germination.
Mark your rows: Use string, stakes, or labels. With multiple successions growing at once, you'll forget which is which.
Record everything: Note the variety, planting date, and expected harvest date. This data is invaluable for refining your schedule.
Germination Challenges by Season
Carrot germination is notoriously fussy. Adjust your technique by season:
Spring (cool, moist)
Germination: 10-14 days
Challenge: Soil may be too wet
Solution: Wait for a dry spell; ensure drainage
Summer (warm, dry)
Germination: 7-10 days (if soil stays moist)
Challenge: Soil dries out, overheats
Solution: Cover with burlap or shade cloth; water twice daily; plant in late afternoon
Fall (cooling, increasing rain)
Germination: 10-14 days
Challenge: Early plantings may face heat; late plantings face short days
Solution: Time around weather; protect from heavy rain
Winter (cool, wet)
Germination: 14-21+ days
Challenge: Slow and irregular
Solution: Be patient; ensure drainage; consider cold frame
Managing Multiple Successions
Watering Different-Aged Plantings
When you have carrots at various stages in one bed, watering becomes tricky:
Germinating seeds need consistent surface moisture with light, frequent watering. Established seedlings need moderate, regular water. Maturing carrots need deep, less frequent water.
Solutions:
Use drip irrigation with different zones
Hand-water new plantings while drip handles established areas
Mulch established sections to retain moisture; leave new sections unmulched until germination
Thinning on a Rolling Basis
With succession planting, you're thinning one section while sowing another. Make this manageable:
Thin when seedlings are 2 inches tall
Target 2-3 inch spacing between plants
Eat the thinnings! Baby carrot greens are delicious in salads
Pest Management Across Successions
Pests don't respect your planting schedule. Here's how to manage them:
Carrot rust fly: Active April through October. Cover ALL successions with floating row covers during this period, or accept some damage. More info from UC IPM.
Gophers: Active year-round in Santa Cruz County. Hardware cloth protection is essential for all plantings. See our Gopher Control Guide.
Aster leafhoppers: Vector aster yellows disease. Year-round in California, unlike cold-winter regions. Row covers help; tolerant varieties (Scarlet Nantes, Royal Chantenay) reduce impact.
Aphids: Populations peak in spring and fall. Strong water spray usually sufficient. Rarely serious on carrots since we eat roots, not leaves.
Harvesting Succession-Planted Carrots
Knowing When to Harvest
With multiple successions, you'll have carrots at various stages. Here's how to judge readiness:
Check the shoulders: Mature carrots push their shoulders above soil level. Look for crown diameter of ¾ to 1 inch for Nantes types.
Count the days: Reference your planting records. If your 70-day variety was planted 65 days ago, start checking.
Pull a test carrot: The only definitive method. Pull one from the middle of the planting and assess size and flavor.
Harvest Timing by Season
Spring harvest: Carrots mature quickly; don't leave too long or they'll bolt in summer heat.
Summer harvest: Harvest promptly. Heat makes carrots bitter and can cause bolting.
Fall harvest: More flexibility. Cooler temps mean carrots hold quality longer in the ground.
Winter harvest: Maximum flexibility. Cold-sweetened carrots improve with time. Harvest as needed through March.
Continuous Harvest Strategy
Once a succession reaches maturity, harvest continuously rather than all at once:
Begin harvesting from one end of the row
Take what you need for the week
Move progressively down the row
As you clear space, that section can be replanted
This rolling harvest/replant cycle keeps your bed continuously productive.
Troubleshooting Succession Planting
Problem: Germination Gaps
Symptoms: Some successions germinate well; others have poor or patchy stands
Causes:
Inconsistent watering during germination period
Soil temperature too hot or too cold
Old seed
Soil crusting (especially in clay)
Solutions:
Pre-moisten soil before planting
Cover with burlap or vermiculite to retain moisture
Check soil temperature (ideal: 55-75°F)
Use fresh seed each year
Water gently to prevent crusting
Problem: Successions Catching Up to Each Other
Symptoms: A later planting matures at the same time as an earlier one
Causes:
Faster growth in warming spring conditions
Earlier planting hit slow period (cold, short days)
Solutions:
Adjust planting intervals seasonally (closer in spring, wider in fall)
Accept some overlap, which is still better than one big harvest
Use faster varieties in slow-growth periods
Problem: Successions All Bolting at Once
Symptoms: Multiple plantings send up flower stalks simultaneously in spring
Causes:
Vernalization: carrots exposed to cold (below 50°F for several weeks) then warming triggers bolting
Typically affects fall-planted and overwintered carrots in February-March
Solutions:
Harvest fall/winter successions before spring warm-up
Use bolt-resistant varieties for fall planting
Accept that very early spring plantings may be at risk
Problem: Summer Successions Fail
Symptoms: June-August plantings have poor germination or weak growth
Causes:
Soil too hot (above 85°F inhibits germination)
Seeds dry out before germinating
Heat stress on young seedlings
Solutions:
Plant in the coolest part of your garden
Use shade cloth (30-50%)
Water twice daily during germination
Mulch immediately after germination
Focus on quick-maturing varieties
In hot areas, skip mid-summer and resume in late August
Problem: Keeping Track of Everything
Symptoms: You forget which planting is which, can't tell if carrots are ready
Causes:
Multiple plantings in same bed blur together
Stakes and labels disappear or fade
Solutions:
Use durable metal or plastic markers
Create a garden map/journal
Take photos with date stamps
Paint rocks with planting dates
Keep a spreadsheet or app log
Advanced Succession Strategies
Interplanting with Other Crops
Carrots pair well with quick crops that can be harvested before carrots need the space:
Radishes: Sow radish seeds in the same row. They germinate fast (marking the row for you) and are harvested in 25-30 days, just as carrots need room.
Lettuce: Plant lettuce between carrot rows. Harvest lettuce when it reaches size; carrots fill in the space.
Green onions: Similar timing to carrots but different root depth. Harvest onions progressively as carrots mature.
Using Season Extenders
Maximize your succession options with simple season extension:
Cold frames: Allow planting 3-4 weeks earlier in spring and later in fall. Also speed winter germination.
Row covers: Warm soil 5-10°F, extending planting windows. Also protect from pests year-round.
Shade cloth: Essential for summer successions. 30-50% shade keeps soil cool enough for germination.
Staggering Varieties Within Successions
For extra-long harvest windows, plant fast and slow varieties together:
Example: On May 1, plant 2 feet of Mokum (54 days) and 2 feet of Bolero (75 days). You'll harvest Mokum in early July and Bolero in late July, extending harvest from one planting date.
Recommended: Yaya, Nelson, Scarlet Nantes
Recommended: Napoli, Mokum, Adelaide | Use shade cloth!
Recommended: Bolero, Nelson, Negovia | These overwinter for sweetest carrots!
Quick Reference: Succession Planting Carrots
Planting frequency: Every 3-4 weeks, March through October
Amount per succession: 2-6 feet of row depending on household size
Quick varieties (50-60 days): Yaya, Mokum, Napoli, Adelaide
Main season varieties (65-75 days): Bolero, Nelson, Scarlet Nantes
Key challenges: Summer germination, tracking multiple plantings, pest management
Essential tools: Row markers, garden journal, row covers, shade cloth
Frequently Asked Questions
How many carrot plants do I need for continuous harvest?
For a 2-person household eating carrots regularly, aim for 60-100 carrots growing at any time across various stages. That's roughly 20-30 feet of row total, split across 5-7 successions. Adjust based on how many carrots you actually eat.
Can I succession plant carrots in containers?
Yes, but it's more challenging. Containers dry out faster and hold less. Use the largest containers possible (at least 12 inches deep), plant quick-maturing varieties, and plan for more frequent smaller harvests. You may need more containers to match in-ground production.
What if I miss a planting window?
No problem. Just resume with the next succession. You might have a gap in harvest, but that's better than forcing a planting in poor conditions. The schedule is a guide, not a rigid rule.
Do I need to rotate where I plant each succession?
Within a single season, planting in the same bed is fine. Between years, rotate your carrot bed to a different location to reduce disease and pest buildup. Don't plant carrots (or related crops like parsley, parsnips, cilantro) in the same spot more than 2 years in a row.
How do I handle pests with multiple successions?
Protect the entire bed with row covers during pest-active seasons (April-October). This covers all successions at once. For gophers, install hardware cloth when you first build or prepare the bed, and it protects all plantings.
Is succession planting worth the extra effort?
Absolutely. Once you establish the rhythm, it becomes routine: sow seeds, thin seedlings, harvest carrots, repeat. The reward (fresh, homegrown carrots year-round) far exceeds the modest extra effort of planting every few weeks instead of once a year.
Related Articles
Local Resources
Seeds and Supplies
Renee's Garden Seeds - Based in Felton; excellent carrot selection
San Lorenzo Garden Center - Santa Cruz
Sierra Azul Nursery - Watsonville
Botanical Interests - Widely available locally; good variety selection
Expert Help
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Cruz County - Free gardening advice hotline
UCSC Center for Agroecology - Research and education
Ready to start succession planting? Begin with your next open planting window. There's almost always one coming up. In a few months, you'll wonder why you ever planted carrots any other way.
