Dragon Carrot

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly aromatic and vividly colored, Dragon Carrot brings a bold, carrot-top presence with a smooth, crisp bite and a rich, honeyed flavor that shines from the first harvest.

True to Danvers type, the roots are deep orange and well-shaped, with a confident taper and tender core that holds its character whether enjoyed fresh or roasted into caramelized sweetness. A standout for gardeners who love dependable performance and a harvest that looks as striking as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Dragon Carrot 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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Built like a classic Danvers: deep sweetness with a tender, non-mealy bite, so it can hold its own raw without tasting watery. Roast it hot for caramelized edges, and use carrot-top herb energy as the finishing note—bright, not grassy.

Best Uses

quick shaved or batons in a citrusy salad where the crunch stays loud
roasting to caramelized sweetness—hot oven, higher heat for browned edges
glazing in a honey-butter or maple reduction for sticky lacquer
pureeing into silky soups with a little fat to round the sweetness

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness crisp, juicy snap sweetly aromatic carrot-top finish vibrant orange core that roasts into jammy edges

Kitchen Pairings

ginger lemon honey butter yogurt coriander

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Daucus carota (dragon carrot) and what should I do?

Carrots commonly get Alternaria leaf blight and Cercospora/leaf spots, especially in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard infected tops, avoid wetting the foliage when watering, and improve airflow by spacing plants properly. If spots keep spreading, apply a labeled fungicide for vegetables at the first signs and repeat as directed on the label.

How often should I water dragon carrots during their main growing phase?

During root bulking (roughly weeks 5–10), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Water deeply enough to reach where the roots are growing, and reduce watering right before harvest to limit cracking.

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

Harvest at about 70–90 days, and start checking earlier around day 75 for the shoulder size you want. Look for the top of the root just above the soil line to fill out and the roots to feel firm rather than flexible; if you see a lot of green at the crown with a well-defined shoulder, it’s ready. Pull one sample carrot first—if the root reaches the expected thickness and color, harvest the rest the same day.