Chantenay Red Core

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, earthy-sweet fragrance rises as the roots emerge—Chantenay Red Core forms short, stout carrots with a vivid red core and a softly tapered shoulder that feels satisfyingly firm in the soil.

The flesh is crisp and finely grained, delivering a balanced sweetness that shines in fresh salads and holds beautifully for roasting and vibrant color in sauces. A classic Chantenay for gardeners who want dependable, uniform roots at about 70 days, with a bold interior that makes every harvest look as good as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Taproot

Botanical illustration of Chantenay Red Core

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 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Chantenay Red Core is built for a clean, crisp chew—its fine grain stays satisfying in a hot oven, so you get caramelized edges with a firm center. The red-core sweetness loves a little heat and fat (ginger + brown butter, for example) and stays visually electric in purées and glazes.

Best Uses

shaving raw into salads so the crunch doesn’t wilt
roasting for caramelized edges without mushy centers
bright, color-forward carrot purée for a silky but not gluey texture
quick pickles or vinegar-glazed carrots for snap and vivid red-core payoff

Flavor Profile

sweet, earthy-sweet core crisp, finely grained bite gentle peppery carrot top note that lingers sturdy texture that stays intact under heat

Kitchen Pairings

fresh ginger honey butter or brown butter cumin orange yogurt or labneh

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Daucus carota (carrot) and how do I treat it?

Watch for carrot rust fly and cavity-rotting caused by larvae; symptoms include tunneling and misshapen roots. Use fine mesh row cover over seedlings as soon as they emerge and remove it only for watering/harvesting, then hand-pull any infested plants to reduce larval buildup. If fungal leaf spots (dark lesions) appear in cool, humid weather, thin plants for airflow and avoid wetting the foliage when you water.

How often should I water Chantenay Red Core carrots during the main growing phase?

During active root bulking, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply, then allow the top 1 cm to dry slightly before watering again, because carrots that swing between wet and dry commonly fork or crack. Avoid frequent light sprinkling that keeps the surface wet but leaves deeper soil dry.

How can I tell when Chantenay Red Core (Daucus carota) is ready to harvest?

Start checking at about 60–70 days: the shoulders should be clearly visible and the root diameter at the crown should match the variety’s compact size (about 1–2 inches / 2.5–5 cm). Pull one and check that the interior is firm and fully colored, not woody or hollow. Harvest before roots get too large and tough—especially if tops are starting to look stressed in hot weather.