How to Grow Mokum Carrot
Daucus carota var. sativus
Mokum carrots are a reliable choice for gardeners seeking sweet, crisp roots in cool weather. These easy-to-grow vegetables thrive in zones 4 through 11 and offer excellent resistance to common leaf diseases.
Starting Mokum Carrot: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Mokum Carrot is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors rather than starting indoors, planting them 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost date.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 for optimal growth. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Press seeds gently into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch, as they are tiny. Expect germination in 10 to 17 days under consistent moisture.
Space seedlings 2 inches apart once they emerge to allow proper root development. Keep soil consistently moist with about 1 inch of water per week, avoiding wetting the foliage to reduce disease risk. Apply a layer of mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the crown.
Watch for carrot fly, aphids, flea beetles, and wireworms; use row covers or companion planting to deter pests. Monitor for alternaria leaf blight and bacterial soft rot, ensuring good air circulation. Harvest roots when they reach maturity in 50 to 60 days by gently pulling them from the soil.
When to Plant Mokum Carrot
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Mokum Carrot
✓ Good companions
Repels carrot flies and aphids with strong sulfur compounds
Shallow roots don't compete, provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Release compounds that deter nematodes and various soil pests
Sulfur compounds strongly repel carrot flies and root maggots
Break up soil for carrot growth and mature quickly as intercrop
Strong aromatic oils confuse and repel carrot flies and other pests
Repels carrot flies and cabbage moths with aromatic compounds
Help deter carrot flies while carrots may improve tomato flavor
✗ Keep away from
May inhibit carrot germination and early growth through allelopathic effects
Attracts beneficial insects when young but can stunt carrot growth when mature
Compete for same soil nutrients and space, attract similar pests
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
