Carrots are a popular root vegetable in Mauritius, used in soups, stews, gâteaux, and salads. They grow best in the cooler months and prefer loose, sandy soil for straight root development.

Local names: Karot, Carotte

Months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Sow from April to October. Cooler temperatures produce sweeter roots. Avoid waterlogged conditions in summer.

• Soil type: Deep, loose, sandy-loam soil free of stones
• pH: 6.0–6.8
• Compost: Use well-decomposed compost only — fresh manure causes forked roots. Loosen soil to at least 30 cm depth.

• Seed type: Direct sow (carrots do not transplant well)
• Spacing: 5–8 cm between plants, 25–30 cm between rows. Thin seedlings at 2 weeks.
• Watering: Even, consistent moisture. Water deeply 2–3 times per week. Avoid letting soil dry out and then flooding.
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (5–7 hours daily)

Organic options:

• Well-rotted compost
• Wood ash (for potassium)
• Seaweed extract

Chemical options:

• NPK 5-10-10 (low nitrogen to avoid leafy tops with small roots)

Carrot fly

• Natural remedy: Companion plant with onions or leeks. Use fine mesh row covers.
• Chemical fallback: Chlorpyrifos granules

Nematodes

• Natural remedy: Crop rotation and marigold companion planting
• Chemical fallback: Carbofuran

• Days to maturity: 70–90 days
• Indicators: Tops of roots visible at soil surface, about 2 cm diameter. Foliage starts to droop slightly.
• Yield tips: Loosen soil with a fork before pulling to avoid snapping roots. Harvest in the morning when roots are crisp.

• Duration: 2–4 weeks
• Temperature: Refrigerate at 0–4°C
• Tips: Remove green tops immediately after harvest (they draw moisture from roots). Store in a perforated plastic bag.