Stubby carrots

Image: "carrot harvest: short squat, and flavorful" (CC BY 2.0) by woodleywonderworks on flickr

Updated: February 20, 2023

What causes carrots and other root crops to be deformed?

stubby, deformed carrots
Normal and stubby carrots

Overcrowding of root crops

Malformation of root crops occurs when the enlarging storage roots of beet, turnip, kohlrabi, potato, carrot, etc. come into contact with their neighbors. Proper spacing of transplants or thinning seedlings will prevent the problem.

crooked carrot
Deformed carrot

Rocky or compacted soil

Malformation occurs when the enlarging storage roots of beet, turnip, kohlrabi, potato, carrot, etc. come into contact with obstacles such as rocks and tight clay.