James' Scarlet Intermediate

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add James' Scarlet Intermediate to a garden.

Sink your senses into James' Scarlet Intermediate’s vivid, true-scarlet roots—sweet, carrot-forward flavor with a tender, crisp bite that stays pleasantly juicy from garden to table.

This Imperator-class favorite forms smooth, well-filled roots with a classic intermediate length and a refined, uniform shape, ideal for showcasing in fresh bunches or turning into vibrant color for sauces and roasting. Grow it for reliable performance around 75 days, and enjoy the satisfying crunch that makes every harvest feel like a small celebration of spring’s best color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of James' Scarlet Intermediate

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James' Scarlet Intermediate 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	Direct Sow	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Aug 15th – Aug 1st
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	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

James' Scarlet Intermediate is built for crunch: it roasts into bright caramel edges without turning woolly, so it stays texturally honest. Use citrus and fat to make the sweetness read as lively rather than flat—its flavor lands clean and juicy in every bite.

Best Uses

fresh bunch slicing with a quick citrusy vinaigrette
roasting on high heat until caramel edges form while staying crisp-tender
butter-slick carrot purée for a smooth, vivid side
glossy carrot ribbons or sticks for snacking with herby dips

Flavor Profile

sweet, carrot-forward flavor tender-crisp bite with juicy snap classic earthy sweetness with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter orange ginger lemon honey Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Daucus carota (carrots) like James' Scarlet Intermediate, and how can I control it?

A common problem is carrot rust fly, whose maggots tunnel into roots and leave tunnels with dark frass. Use row cover right after sowing to block egg-laying, and thin seedlings promptly so plants don’t stay crowded (crowding can worsen damage). If you see fly activity later, remove and destroy infested roots early to reduce the next generation of larvae.

How often should I water Daucus carota during the main growing phase to keep roots smooth and avoid cracking?

During the main bulking stage (after seedlings establish and until about a month before harvest), keep the bed evenly moist—typically about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply, then let the top 1/2 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again; inconsistent moisture can lead to forked or cracked roots. Avoid frequent “light sprinkles,” which promote shallow roots that dry out and split.

How do I tell when James' Scarlet Intermediate carrots are ready to harvest?

Start checking around 70–75 days from sowing: harvest when the shoulders are clearly colored and you can feel the root diameter through the soil. Typical readiness looks like a thumb- to finger-sized root with firm texture and bright orange color at the top; leaving them too long can increase toughness. Pull one carrot first to confirm size, then harvest the rest promptly.