Flyaway

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, carrot-smooth flavor opens with a bright, honeyed snap—then settles into a tender, fine-grained bite that feels almost silky.

Flyaway Nantes Carrot forms slender, true Nantes roots with a clean, tapered shoulder and a vivid orange core, ideal for gardeners who want reliable, elegant harvests at about 78 days. Grow Flyaway for fresh pull-and-enjoy appeal, and for vibrant color and sweetness in salads, roasts, and quick pickles that showcase its naturally balanced taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 78 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	78
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

A slender Nantes type with a honeyed hit and a fine, tender texture—Flyaway stays crisp long enough for raw shaving, then turns buttery-soft at the edges when roasted. Its natural sweetness makes it a standout for quick pickles and fast high-heat cooking, where it caramelizes without going hollow or woody.

Best Uses

quick pickle slices or batons where the sweetness balances vinegar
hot blister-roast on high heat to caramelize the slender root edges
shaving raw into salads for snap that doesn’t get fibrous
glossy glaze roasting (maple or brown sugar) to amplify the orange-core sweetness

Flavor Profile

bright, honeyed sweetness clean carrot crunch that quickly turns tender fine-grained, almost silky bite fresh, mildly earthy carrot finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger lime chili honey butter feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects carrots (Daucus carota var. sativus), and what can I do about it?

Carrot root flies and early “damping-off” can be major issues, especially in cool, wet sowing beds. Cover seedlings with a fine insect net or row cover to block carrot root flies, and avoid overwatering so the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy to reduce damping-off. If seedlings collapse, remove affected plants and re-sow into fresh, well-drained soil rather than keeping the same bed wet.

How often should I water during the main growing phase of carrots, and how do I keep the soil at the right moisture level?

During active root growth (roughly mid-season through about 2–3 weeks before harvest), water deeply about 1–2 times per week to keep the top 6–8 in (15–20 cm) consistently moist. Aim for a damp, crumbly soil—not dry-cracking and not waterlogged—because irregular moisture leads to forked, split, or misshapen roots. If rains are light, check moisture by feel: the soil should be moist a finger’s depth down, not dusty or muddy.

How can I tell when carrots (Daucus carota var. sativus) are ready to harvest?

Start checking around your stated maturity window (about 78 days from sowing), and harvest when the roots are thick enough for the size you want. A good sign is the “shoulder” of the root bulging at the soil surface and reaching the typical diameter for your variety; if you see a lot of taper, it’s still underfilled. Pull one as a test—if the core is firm and not woody, you’re ready to harvest; if it’s very small and thin, wait about a week and re-check.