Hercules

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sink your senses into the sweet, earthy perfume of Hercules Danvers carrots—deep orange roots with a crisp, tender snap and a finely grained interior.

At maturity, they form a classic Danvers silhouette: sturdy shoulders, a smooth taper, and a uniform, market-ready length that roasts to caramelized richness and shines in fresh salads, slaws, and vibrant sauces. Garden with confidence for dependable harvests around 75 days, when the color turns boldly saturated and the texture stays pleasantly crisp.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Hercules 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)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hercules Danvers carrots hit with a proper sweet-earthiness and a crisp, finely grained bite, so they stay snappy in slaws and shred cleanly for salads. When roasted hot, they caramelize without going soft or bland—ideal for spooning over grains or thinning into a silky puree.

Best Uses

high-heat roasting for caramelized edges and a clean, candy-like finish
shredded carrot slaw where the crunch stays intact
brief sautéing and glazing to keep the interior tender without going mealy
pureeing into a silky soup or sauce base that holds body

Flavor Profile

sweet, earthy carrot perfume crisp snap with a finely grained interior roasting turns caramel-rich and pleasantly tannic

Kitchen Pairings

ginger garlic cumin cilantro lemon olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my carrots (Daucus carota var. sativus) getting forked or hair-thin, and how can I fix it?

Forking and thin, bushy roots are often caused by compacted soil or an uneven planting bed that makes roots hit resistance. Loosen the bed to at least 25–30 cm before sowing, remove stones and debris, and avoid over-fertilizing with fresh manure (which can trigger misshapen roots). If seedlings emerge crowded, thin early so roots have consistent space—crowding can also produce weak, narrow roots.

How often should I water carrots during the main growing phase to keep roots straight and sweet?

During active root bulking (roughly weeks 4–8 after sowing), keep the top 2–3 cm of soil consistently moist—usually about 2.5–3.8 cm of water per week, split into 1–3 waterings depending on heat. Letting the soil dry out and then soaking heavily can cause cracking; aim for steady moisture, especially through hot spells under full sun. Mulching lightly helps maintain even moisture for this Apiaceae root.

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

Start checking at about 70–75 days: the shoulder of each carrot should be visibly thick above the soil, with a clear orange color near the top. Gently pull one to confirm the root diameter and tenderness; mature carrots should feel firm and reach the expected size for your seed packet. Harvest promptly once they size up—overgrowing can lead to tougher roots or a more fibrous texture.