Autumn King

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sink your senses into Autumn King’s deep, earthy sweetness and vivid, sunset-orange roots—tapered to an elegant Imperator silhouette with a crisp, fine-grained bite.

At maturity (about 80 days), the roots develop smooth skins and a satisfying firmness that holds its character from garden to storage. Grow Autumn King for reliable, full-size harvests that shine in fresh salads, roasting trays, and vibrant sauces—an autumn favorite with a clean, garden-fresh flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Autumn King 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 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Autumn King’s Imperator shape and fine-grained firmness make it hold texture—great when you want sweetness without the meal turning mushy. Use it hard at high heat (or dressed while still crisp) so its orange sugars caramelize instead of collapsing.

Best Uses

roasting on a hot tray for caramelized edges without going fluffy
fresh slicing/grating for salads that stay snappy
blending into a silky purée for soups and braises
shredding into quick slaws with acidic dressing

Flavor Profile

deep earthy sweetness crisp, fine-grained bite clean, garden-fresh carrot character

Kitchen Pairings

ginger cumin honey lime olive oil Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Autumn King leaves turning yellow and getting sticky spots—could it be aphids or a disease, and what should I do?

Sticky sap on Autumn King leaves is a classic sign of aphids, which can also trigger stress and secondary issues. Spray plants with a strong jet of water, then follow with insecticidal soap (especially under leaves) every 5–7 days until no aphids are seen. If you notice leaf spots that spread despite controlling aphids, remove the worst leaves and improve airflow around the plants to slow further spread.

How often should I water Autumn King during the 80-day growing phase?

During active growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Water more frequently when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, because Autumn King forms best when moisture doesn’t swing widely. Avoid daily light watering; it encourages shallow roots and makes stress more likely.

How do I tell when Autumn King is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads/size reach package expectations and the plant looks firm and fully developed—typically around 80 days from germination to harvest. Check the outer foliage: the crown should feel solid and not loose, with color fully formed for that variety. If you’re unsure, pick a test plant first—Autumn King is best harvested promptly once it’s firm rather than waiting for it to over-mature.