Carrots grow sweeter and less fibrous in soil that remains moist. Speed germination, which can take 10 days or more, by soaking seeds in water for 6 hours before you plant them. Begin harvesting carrots when they've turned deep orange. Like all root crops, carrots need lots of potassium. Boost your soil's supply by sprinkling wood ashes over the planting area before you sow the seeds.
Carrots do well in containers.
Choose pots that are at least 12 inches deep and have good drainage. Use potting soil enriched with compost, feed plants with compost tea every 10 days until they're 6 inches tall, and keep the soil moist. Carrots that are exposed to the sun turn green and bitter-tasting. To keep them orange and sweet, make sure the roots stay completely covered with soil. If your carrots turn out with a branch or two, it means they're getting too much nitrogen.