Autumn King

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.