Flakkee

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Flakkee to a garden.

Silky-sweet, deep-orange roots of Flakkee unfurl with a smooth, refined surface and a satisfying snap—an Imperator carrot that feels as good as it tastes.

At maturity, the long, tapered shape roasts to a caramelized tenderness and shines in fresh salads, while its balanced sweetness also makes it a standout for vibrant sauces and quick pickles. Grow Flakkee for a harvest that looks as polished as it performs, from garden rows to the plate with effortless appeal.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Flakkee 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	Rosette
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

Flakkee is an Imperator-style carrot with a refined sweetness that roasts into caramelized tenderness without turning fluffy or woody. Its crisp snap makes it a standout for quick pickles and dressed salads, while its sugar load plays beautifully with ginger-lime and creamy cheeses.

Best Uses

peeled ribbon salads where it keeps crunch under dressing
high-heat roasting for caramelized edges and tender centers
quick pickles that stay bright and snappy
blended or grated into smooth, vividly orange sauces

Flavor Profile

silky-sweet flavor crisp, tight snap caramelizing sweetness when roasted clean carrot earth with a refined finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger coriander lime olive oil honey goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Daucus carota (carrot) and how can I control it?

Carrots (Daucus carota, Apiaceae) often suffer from carrot rust fly, which damages roots—look for tunnel-like holes near the crown and distorted roots. Cover beds with fine row cover after sowing and keep it on until plants are well established; remove weeds promptly to reduce fly habitat. If damage appears, harvest and destroy heavily infested roots early rather than leaving them in the ground, since late plants become a food source for larvae.

How often should I water carrots during the main growing phase (about weeks 3–10)?

During active root enlargement (roughly after seedlings establish until near maturity), keep the soil evenly moist, usually about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply, then let the top 1–2 cm of soil barely dry before the next watering to avoid cracking while still preventing dryness that causes forked or stunted roots. Mulch lightly helps maintain moisture without soaking the crown.

How do I tell when Daucus carota is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 75 days from sowing, and use the shoulder diameter as your guide: pull a test carrot to confirm size and tenderness. Ready carrots typically have a visibly filled shoulder at the soil line with a crisp, firm texture; if tops look lush but roots feel small, wait a bit longer. For best flavor, harvest before prolonged hot weather and avoid leaving carrots in the ground after they become overgrown and woody.