Carlo

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweetly fragrant at harvest, Carlo’s Chantenay roots develop a rich, warm orange core with a gently tapered shoulder and a smooth, fine-grained texture.

Their compact, confidence-inspiring shape roasts to a caramelized tenderness and shines when sliced for fresh crunch, lending a vivid color to salads and slaws. Carlo’s dependable 75-day rhythm makes it a standout for gardeners who want bold flavor in a manageable footprint.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Carlo Chantenay is built for that sweet spot between snappy raw crunch and caramelized roast tenderness—its compact, fine texture cooks through without going woolly. Slice it thin for slaw where it stays crisp under acidic dressing, or roast it hot so the tapered shoulders brown instead of soften into mush.

Best Uses

roasting on a high heat until edges caramelize
shaved or julienned raw in crisp salads and slaws
quick-steamed and glazed with butter/honey for a lacquered finish
pan-seared coins for a browned outside, juicy inside

Flavor Profile

sweet, carrot-forward fragrance fine-grained, tender bite when cooked snappy, watery crunch raw warm earthy sweetness with caramelized edges when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

butter honey ginger lemon yogurt coriander

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Daucus carota var. sativus (Chantenay-type carrots like Carlo), and how do I control it?

Watch for carrot rust fly maggots, which cause tunnels and stunted, forked-looking roots. Cover beds with fine insect netting as soon as seedlings emerge, keep weeds down, and remove any badly infested roots to reduce the fly’s breeding sites. If you see leaf blight-like spotting or fungal leaf disease in humid weather, thin for airflow and avoid overhead watering.

How often should I water during the main growing phase of Daucus carota var. sativus, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During root bulking, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for even moisture so roots don’t split or fork. For most home gardens, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, then adjust to rainfall and heat so the top few inches stay evenly damp. Stop light surface watering and instead water thoroughly after drying slightly to push moisture deeper for straight root growth.

How can I tell when Carlo (Daucus carota var. sativus) is ready to harvest?

Start checking around day 70–75: gently brush soil aside and look for the shoulder of the carrot reaching its expected red core size, typically showing a well-formed top near the surface. Harvest when roots are firm and brightly colored; if you wait too long, they can become woody and less sweet. Loosen soil with a fork before pulling to avoid snapping short, dense Chantenay roots.