Deep Purple

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Velvety, inky purple shoulders fade to a warm, crisp orange core—Deep Purple Danvers Carrot delivers a striking color contrast that looks as good as it tastes.

Expect a sweet, earthy flavor with a fine-grained crunch and a tender bite that holds up beautifully after roasting or steaming, and shines fresh for snacking, salads, and vibrant pickles. A classic Danvers silhouette—long, tapered, and dependable—makes this an elegant garden favorite from sowing to harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Deep Purple Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
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

Deep Purple Danvers holds onto a tender, fine-grained snap even when cooked, with that orange core turning warm and roasty instead of going bland or hollow. Use it where you want crunch and color to survive—roast hard or pickle fast—so every bite lands sweet, earthy, and bright rather than soft.

Best Uses

sheet-pan roasting until caramelized at the edges
steamed and glazed with butter or honey for a clean bite
fresh slicing into salads for high-contrast crunch
quick-pickling for crisp, vivid magenta-red shoulders

Flavor Profile

sweet, earthy carrot flavor fine-grained crunch tender, not stringy bite roasty, slightly nutty finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger cumin honey butter goat cheese lime

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Daucus carota (carrot) and how do I manage it at home?

Carrot fly larvae are the most common pest: they tunnel into roots and leave weak, hollowed spots. Cover sowings with fine insect netting as soon as you sow, thin promptly to reduce attraction, and remove any damaged roots to break the life cycle. If you see leaf blight or rust-like spots, pull affected plants and avoid watering the foliage to limit spread in the Apiaceae family.

How often should I water Deep Purple carrots during the main growing phase?

After germination, keep the soil evenly moist to about 6–8 in (15–20 cm) deep so the roots develop without cracking or forking; aim for light watering 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot, dry spells. Let the top inch dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the deeper soil to fully dry out. Mulch lightly after thinning to stabilize moisture and reduce temperature swings around the seed zone.

How can I tell when Deep Purple carrots are ready to harvest?

Harvest when roots reach the expected diameter (often about 3/4–1+ in, depending on your spacing) and the tops fill out—this is typically around 70–80 days after sowing for Daucus carota var. sativus. You’ll also see the shoulder of the carrot rise slightly at the soil line and the color turn a deep purple all the way to the crown. If you’re unsure, gently pull one sample carrot without disturbing the rest, then harvest the remaining crop.