Carson Hybrid

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, earthy fragrance rises as soon as the Carson Hybrid tops are brushed—then the roots reveal a rich, honeyed flavor with a tender, fine-grained bite.

Chantenay-style shoulders stay pleasantly compact and uniform, with a crisp texture that holds beautifully from garden-fresh to roasted favorites and vibrant purees. Grow Carson Hybrid for reliable, home-garden harvests at about 75 days, and enjoy its deep orange color as a standout in salads, slaws, and quick pickling-style preparations.

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	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Carson Hybrid leans into that Chantenay superpower: compact, uniformly crisp roots that roast and purée like a dream—sweet enough for honey-lemon glazes but still bright and vegetal under acid. It’s especially good when you want carrot flavor to stay readable instead of turning soft or stringy.

Best Uses

thin ribbons in sharp vinaigrettes or shaved salads (no toughness)
roasting until edges caramelize while the interior stays tender
quick pickling-style slices where the color and crunch matter
silky carrot purée or soup blitzed for a smooth, even texture

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness with an earthy carrot snap fine-grained tenderness that stays crisp sweet root aromatics with a clean, vegetable finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger cumin lemon butter honey Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Daucus carota (carrot) during summer, and how can I control it?

Carrot rust fly (and its larvae tunneling in roots) is a common summer problem for carrots. Use a fine insect net/row cover over the bed as soon as seedlings emerge, keep weeds down, and avoid letting the soil stay bare and undisturbed—remove infested roots promptly so larvae don’t continue feeding. If you’re seeing fly activity, re-cover immediately after any access and don’t replant the same spot without a break.

How often should I water during the main growing phase so my Royal Chantenay-type carrots form straight roots?

From emergence through bulking (about weeks 3–10), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist—about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat, with smaller, more frequent waterings in hot weather. Letting the soil swing from very dry to very wet can trigger cracking or misshapen roots; aim for steady moisture without waterlogging. Mulch lightly to reduce drying on the soil surface, but keep the crown area from sitting in puddles.

How do I tell when my Carson Hybrid carrots are ready to harvest after about 75 days?

Start checking around day 70: gently pull one plant and look for the shoulder—when it’s close to the variety’s expected diameter and the root color is fully developed, they’re ready. Harvest when roots are firm and crisp, not soft or overly hairy, and avoid leaving them too long in warm soil. For the best texture, harvest after a light watering so the soil loosens, then pull straight up and remove foliage to keep roots from drying.