Carrots
Carrots are a popular and versatile vegetable grown on many farms in New York. Fresh market growers have a wide range of varieties available for production intended for farm stands, farmer's markets, school lunch programs and wholesale markets. Fresh market carrots also come in a rainbow of colors. Roughly 2,000 acres of carrots are grown in Western, NY for the processing market. Blunt-tipped Nantes varieties are preferred for sliced, processed products and blocky Chantenay or Danvers types are used for dicing.Obtaining long, straight, smooth roots can be difficult. The best soils are light-textured with few stones or well-drained muck. Good soil health is also important as excess moisture and/or compaction will limit root growth and quality. Insects, diseases and nematodes can also injure carrot roots.
Relevant Events
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Champlain Valley Orchard Storage Meeting
August 26, 2026
Chazy, NY
Organic Production Guides
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Organic Production Guides for fruits, vegetables and dairy are available through the NYS Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. They outline general practices for growing vegetable and fruit crops using organic integrated pest management techniques.
Carrot Root Decay at Harvest Time
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
It's been a good growing season for carrots in western, NY once we passed initial establishment problems from dry planting conditions in many fields. Carrot tops have been vigorous for the most part and growers have done a good job with fungicide applications. However, now that carrot harvest is underway there can be some previously undetected root problems. Several pathogens can cause decayed carrot roots.
2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Vegetable Presentations
Presentations from the 2018 ENYCHP Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference held February 20th and 21st for the vegetable sections.
Winter Storage Keys to Success - Vegetable Crops
Key topics covered:
- Growing a healthy Crop and keeping it that way in storage
- Storage conditions
- Construction of coolers
- Controls and Thermostats
- Monitoring and more advanced controls
2016 Carrot Variety Trial
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
What makes a great carrot? The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Programs carrot variety trial will help you find out! Check out this slideshow to learn about the carrot varieties we grew and see which ones would make the cut to grow on your farm.
Carrot Variety Trial Presentation
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
O-zone Injury on Vegetables
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Hot, humid weather with stagnant air masses may lead to ozone damage on crops. Ozone warnings were recently issued for much of New York. These warnings are intended for people with respiratory problems and let them know they should limit their outdoor activity and try to stay as much as possible in air-conditioned locations. These warning are also a good indicator that ozone damage may occur in plants.
Managing Weeds in Carrot Fields
Julie Kikkert, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program

Upcoming Events
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on August 11 for the Capital Region Orchard Twilight meeting in Saratoga! We will be touring Bowman Orchards and reviewing seasonal recommendations for pests and diseases for apples, plums, and berries, as well discussing crop insurance.
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits: 1.25 in categories 22, 1A, & 10. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.
Champlain Valley Orchard Storage Meeting
August 26, 2026
Chazy, NY
Join various experts from Cornell and Cooperative Extension at an orchard storage meeting for the Champlain Valley in Chazy from 1 to 4PM on August 26th. Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.
