Decoding Your Carrot Harvest

Knowing when to harvest carrots might seem like a mystery since you can’t see how big the roots have grown, but don’t worry, you’re not totally in the dark. Once you know what to look for, you’ll be set for a summer of crunchy, satisfying meals, snacks, and sweets.

How do you know when carrots are ready to pick?

Carrots are definitely not as obvious about hitting maturity as some other vegetables, but there are ways to help you determine if they’re big enough to eat—before you actually pull them from the ground. And, also unlike some other vegetables, if you’re not sure, or if you just can’t eat all the carrots that are ready, you can leave them in the ground. Even once they’ve matured, they can rest in the soil for up to 4 weeks and still remain crunchy and crisp. After 4 weeks they will likely become woody and tough, and possibly crack.

The first indicator to look for is on the back of the seed packet or information card from when you planted your carrots. Each carrot variety is slightly different, but the growing information should tell you how long it takes to reach harvest. If weather conditions have been good, that estimate should be fairly accurate and give you a strong indication for timing.

Also, keep your eyes on the surface of the soil—or perhaps right above it. The top of the carrot—where the root meets the greens—is called the shoulder. Oftentimes you can see it by gently brushing away the soil at the base of the greens, but occasionally the shoulder pops up above the ground. When the carrot is large enough to eat, the shoulder should be ¾ to 1 inch in diameter.

How do you pick carrots?

Carrots tend to be pretty easy to pull, especially if you prepare the ground first. If you thoroughly water the garden the day before you plan to harvest, the moisture will have time to soak into the soil, making carrot harvest a breeze. If you don’t have time to plan ahead, use a trowel or garden fork to gently and carefully loosen the soil around the carrots. Try not to damage the greens so you can use them in the kitchen.

Morning is usually the best time to harvest since the roots will have more water and the plants will be less stressed, which gives your carrots a chance for a longer shelf life.

Grasp the carrots from the base of the greens, as close to the shoulder as you can reach, and gently twist the root to loosen it from the soil. Then pull, being careful not to damage the greens.

Shake or brush off any excess soil and trim the greens, leaving about ½ inch on the root. But don’t toss the foliage. Carrot greens are very nutritious and can be subbed in for all types of greens. Consider using them to make pesto or chimichurri sauce, add them to soup stock, salads, or smoothies, or swap them into a recipe that calls for parsley.

The best way to preserve carrots

Removing the greens is your first step toward extending the life of your carrots. Otherwise, the foliage will continue to sap moisture and nutrients out of them, which means they will wilt faster. If you do want to keep the greens attached, store them in a glass of water, just like a bouquet of flowers, and replace the water every few days.

If you aren’t keeping the greens, keep your carrots away from water. Don’t wash them. Once you’ve brushed off enough dirt, place the unwashed carrots in a bag that is slightly open or perforated to allow for airflow, and put the bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. They should keep nicely like this for 3 to 4 weeks.

If you want to cut or peel the carrots, place them in a sealed bag or container with a paper towel to soak up excess moisture and put them in the fridge for up to 1 week.

For longer-term storage, you can freeze carrots. Start by blanching either whole or sliced carrots in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes then plunge them into an ice bath. Drain, pat them dry, and seal them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Put them in the freezer and they’ll last 10 to 12 months.

Thaw frozen carrots before using them, then add them to soups, stir-fries, purees, casseroles, and roasts.

Delicious carrot recipes

While carrots are a lunchroom staple and veggie tray veteran, their culinary bandwidth is much broader. Whether you make them the star of the show or the trusty sidekick, carrots can play a major role in

everything from soups and salads to fritters and fries. Where would we even be without carrot cake? Use your peeler to make carrot noodles, toss carrot chunks in smoothies for added sweetness and nutrition, or

roast whole carrots with fresh herbs. And while carrots and dip are a quintessential combo, try shaking things up—turning the carrots into the dip—with this Spicy Carrot Hummus recipe.