Carrot

Family: Apiaceae Root vegetable

Sweet, garden-bright flavor leads the way with Carrot ‘Carrot’ (Nantes-type), where tender roots develop a smooth, fine-grained bite and a vivid, carrot-orange glow.

At maturity (about 75 days), the slender, evenly tapered roots are especially satisfying for fresh use and for roasting until their natural sugars turn deeply aromatic. Ideal for neat rows and reliable harvests, this variety delivers a refined texture that stays crisp and clean from pull to plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

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	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nantes-type carrots are built for eating fresh: the sweetness is immediate and the texture stays snappy instead of turning fibrous. Roast them hot and fast to pull out caramel notes without losing that clean crunch.

Best Uses

roasting on high heat until caramelized at the edges while staying crisp inside
quick-pickle slices for snap and candy-like tang
raw ribbons or batons under herbaceous vinaigrettes
glazed in butter and a splash of citrus to accent the natural sugars

Flavor Profile

sweet, garden-bright flavor fine-grained crunch with a tender bite vivid carrot-orange sweetness that deepens with heat clean, slightly earthy finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter orange or lemon thyme cumin ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects carrots (Daucus carota) and what should I do if I see it?

Carrot rust fly is a common pest that causes swollen, forked roots and wilting in patches; check seedlings for feeding near the crown and look for tiny pupae in the soil. Use fine row cover immediately after sowing (until plants are established) and pull and destroy heavily affected seedlings to reduce reinfestation. If you notice fungal leaf spots (brown to gray specks with yellow halos), remove infected tops early and improve airflow by spacing plants so foliage dries quickly after watering.

How often should I water carrots during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level do they need?

From emergence through root bulking, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist—typically about 1 inch of water per week, split into smaller soakings if it’s hot or windy. Avoid letting the soil swing from dry to soggy, which can cause root cracking or forking; water deeply enough that moisture reaches where roots are thickening, not just the surface.

How can I tell when Daucus carota carrots are ready to harvest (about 75 days)?

Harvest when the shoulders of the roots are clearly visible at the soil surface and have reached the expected diameter for your sowing (often 1–3 inches, depending on variety). For a fast check, gently pull one or two carrots—good ones will be firm, well-formed, and colored throughout the root. Don’t wait for tops to stall or yellow heavily; earlier harvest reduces woody texture.