Dragon

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly aromatic and richly colored, Dragon carrots bring a vivid, ember-orange harvest with a satiny, finely grained texture that feels crisp and lively from the first bite.

As a Danvers type, they form sturdy, tapered roots with a classic shoulder and a smooth, clean surface that roasts beautifully for caramelized depth, or shines fresh for bright, garden-sweet flavor. Grow Dragon for dependable performance and a satisfying, harvest-ready crunch at about 75 days—an heirloom-style favorite for beds and containers alike.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Dragon 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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dragon carrots are Danvers-lean tapered roots with a satiny, fine-grained snap—no chalkiness, just crisp sweetness that holds up when heat turns their sugars nutty. I like them roasted hard for caramelized edges, or shaved raw where their clean bite stays lively under punchy acid.

Best Uses

hot-sheet roasting until caramelized at the edges
shaving raw for crunchy slaw with acidic dressing
quick steam and glaze with brown butter or honey
juice or blend for a bright, sweet base

Flavor Profile

sweet, lightly earthy carrot sweetness satiny crunch with fine grain sweet aromatics with a warm, roasted edge clean, almost peppery finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger citrus (orange or lemon) brown butter honey yogurt or labneh ginger-garlic chili heat

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects carrots (Daucus carota var. sativus) and what should I do?

Carrots are frequently hit by carrot rust fly and Alternaria leaf blight. Inspect for maggots near the crown and use row cover immediately after sowing to block egg-laying; remove heavily infested plants and avoid replanting carrots in the same bed for a few years. For Alternaria leaf blight, keep leaves as dry as possible, water at the soil line, remove damaged foliage, and improve airflow by thinning early so plants don’t stay wet and crowded.

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

During the main growth period, keep the top 2–3 in (5–7 cm) of soil consistently moist to support steady root enlargement, typically about 1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) of water per week total depending on heat and soil. Water deeply but less often so roots grow evenly, and avoid letting the soil dry out completely then flooding—this can trigger splitting and forking. Mulch lightly to reduce surface drying, especially once seedlings are established.

How can I tell when carrots are ready to harvest?

Most carrot cultivars are ready around 70–80 days from sowing; check for color at the shoulder by gently pulling back soil near the top of the root. Harvest when the roots are clearly formed (often about thumb to finger thickness) and before they become overly woody. If foliage looks healthy but roots feel thin, give them a bit more time; if you see roots cracking at the surface, harvest promptly to prevent further splitting.