Dragon

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

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

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	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.