Which plants harm carrot growth?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Successfully growing carrots entails not planting alongside troublesome neighbors. Dill and fennel emit chemicals that can stunt the growth of carrots; however, parsley will attract root flies which will destroy the plants. I learned this lesson the hard way when one summer my entire crop was riddled with tunnels from insect damage.
Harmful Companions
- Dill: Shares pests like aphids and carrot rust flies
- Fennel: Inhibits root development through allelopathy
- Parsley: Attracts leafminers that damage foliage
Beneficial Allies
- Onions: Masks carrot scent from pests
- Leeks: Deters carrot flies with sulfur compounds
- Rosemary: Repels egg-laying insects effectively
Space your carrots twelve inches apart from any harmful plants. I typically plant French marigolds as border guards, as their roots excrete alpha-terthienyl, a natural nematode deterrent. I also rotate beds every year to avoid soil-borne diseases. After completing my three rotation plans, I realized a 40% increase in yield.
Monthly, near competing plants, test the soil pH. Remember that carrots require soil at a pH range of 6.0-6.8 to maintain nutrient uptake. I had a problem with a fennel plant that raised the pH to 7.2, so I mixed coffee grounds into the soil to lower the pH. Within a few weeks, the carrots had noticeable growth.
Read the full article: How to Grow Carrots: Complete Guide for Beginners
