Amarillo Carrot

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sunlit and silky, Amarillo Carrot delivers a bright golden-orange sweetness with a tender, crisp bite that stays pleasantly fine even as it grows.

Danvers-type roots form classic, well-filled shoulders and a smooth, uniform texture that shines in fresh bunches and holds beautifully for roasting and caramelizing-style browning. At about 75 days, it’s a rewarding home-garden favorite for gardeners who want vivid color and reliable, market-ready roots from sowing to harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Amarillo Carrot

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Amarillo Carrot Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Amarillo’s Danvers-type roots keep a uniform, fine texture, so they don’t go mealy when you roast—just sweeten and brown at the edges. Slice them thick for a caramelizing roast or keep them thin for a crisp salad bite that won’t weep into the dressing.

Best Uses

fresh bunched slicing—thin coins that stay snappy under a vinaigrette
roasting to emphasize caramelized edges without turning mushy
quick sauté or stir-fry where the root keeps a firm bite
juice or smoothie base for a naturally sweet, orange-hued sweetness

Flavor Profile

sweet, carrot-forward flavor crisp-tender bite with fine, even texture gentle earthy vegetal note with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil ginger honey butter lemon dill

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Amarillo carrots developing black, mushy spots or stems collapsing at the soil line, and what should I do?

This is often damping-off or early fungal rot, especially if the soil stays cool and wet. Water only to keep the top layer evenly moist (not soaked), improve drainage, and thin seedlings so they’re not crowded. If you see collapsing plants, remove them immediately and avoid watering from above; treat remaining seedlings with a labeled fungicide if the problem is spreading.

How often should I water Amarillo carrots during their main growing phase (around the 2nd–6th week)?

Water deeply to moisten the soil 6–8 inches, then wait until the top 1/2 inch just starts to dry before watering again. As roots form, keep moisture consistent to prevent cracking or forking—typically about 1 inch of water per week total (adjust for heat and rainfall). If you’re growing in containers, check daily and water in smaller, more frequent amounts so the mix never dries out completely.

How can I tell when Amarillo carrots are ready to harvest at about 75 days?

Harvest when roots are clearly swollen and have reached the expected diameter for your seed packet (often 3/4–1 inch), with bright yellow-orange tops above the soil. Avoid leaving them too long after peak size—over-maturity can lead to woody or less sweet roots. Pull a test row: if the shoulders are tender and the core isn’t tough, harvest the rest promptly.