Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Carrots
Nutritional Value (per 100g)
- Vitamin A: 16,706 IU (334% DV) - essential for vision and immunity
- Fiber: 2.8g (11% DV) - supports digestive health
- Vitamin K1: 13.2mcg (16% DV) - important for blood clotting
- Potassium: 320mg (9% DV) - helps regulate blood pressure
- Antioxidants: Rich in beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene
- Low Calories: Only 41 calories per 100g
Health Benefits
- ✔ Eye Health: Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A for vision protection
- ✔ Cancer Prevention: Antioxidants may reduce risk of certain cancers
- ✔ Heart Health: Fiber and potassium support cardiovascular health
- ✔ Skin Protection: Antioxidants help protect against sun damage
- ✔ Immune Boost: High in vitamin C and other immune-supporting nutrients
Fun Fact: Carrots were originally purple and yellow - the orange variety was developed in the Netherlands in the 17th century!
How to Grow Carrots
1
Variety Selection
- Orange: Nantes, Danvers, Chantenay
- Purple: Cosmic Purple, Purple Dragon
- Yellow: Yellowstone, Solar Yellow
- White: Lunar White, White Satin
- Climate Considerations: Choose varieties suited to your growing season
2
Planting
- Soil: Loose, sandy, well-drained soil free of stones
- Spacing: Sow seeds 1/4" deep, 2" apart in rows 12" apart
- Timing: Plant in early spring and late summer for fall harvest
- Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
3
Care & Maintenance
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Thinning: Thin seedlings to 3-4" apart when 2" tall
- Weed Control: Weed carefully to avoid disturbing roots
4
Pest Management
- Common Pests: Carrot rust fly, aphids, nematodes
- Solutions: Floating row covers, companion planting with onions
5
Harvesting
- When: 50-80 days after planting depending on variety
- Method: Loosen soil with fork before pulling gently
- Signs of Readiness: Shoulder of root visible at soil line
6
Storage
- Short-term: Remove greens and store in fridge for 4-6 weeks
- Long-term: Store in damp sand in a cool root cellar
- Freezing: Blanch and freeze for long-term storage
Pro Tip: Carrot tops are edible and nutritious - use them in pesto or as a parsley substitute!
Summary: Choose variety → Prepare soil → Sow seeds → Care for plants → Manage pests → Harvest at right time → Store properly!
Carrot Growing Guide
Learn how to grow perfect carrots in your garden or containers!
Delicious Carrot Recipes
Explore these tasty dishes featuring carrots from around the world.
Click on the images for recipes that will delight your taste buds!
Carrot Recipe Tutorials
Quickly master the art of cooking with carrots through these videos.