Photo: Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Wild carrot: when and how to prune
Daucus carota
Wild carrot is best pruned in March and September.
| Pruning months | March and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Wild carrot: when to prune it?
Mow in September, after the seed has ripened; cut back stems left standing over winter in March.
Wild carrot: how to prune it?
- Mow or cut the flowering stems only when most of the umbels are brown and curled.
- Leave some stems standing all winter: insects overwinter in the stems and in the curled umbels.
- Cut those remaining stems in March, just above the ground, without damaging the young rosettes.
- If you don’t want seedlings in a border, cut off the umbels just after flowering, before they curl up.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling a lot of plants in the sun: in sensitive people the sap can irritate the skin.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Wild carrot · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.