Kyoto Red

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly fragrant and richly colored, Kyoto Red carrots arrive with a deep, wine-red shoulder that fades to a warm orange-red core—an eye-catching harvest that tastes as vibrant as it looks.

The Imperator type forms long, tapered roots with a smooth, fine-grained texture and a crisp bite that holds its snap from garden to table. Ideal for roasting, fresh snacking, and vivid color in sauces and pickles, Kyoto Red brings a bold, gourmet presence to every platter.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Kyoto Red 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)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Kyoto Red has that Imperator texture—smooth and fine with a crisp bite—so it behaves beautifully both raw and after heat. The deep red shoulder brings extra visual drama, and the sweetness makes it ideal for caramelizing roasts or bright, vinegary pickles without getting dull.

Best Uses

roast at high heat to caramelize the tapered edges while keeping the center firm
thin shave for raw snacking or salads—color holds and crunch doesn’t turn mealy
quick pickle for a magenta-toned tang that stays punchy
blend into a silky purée or sauce that coats without tasting starchy

Flavor Profile

sweet, carrot-forward with a fragrant bite fine-grained, crisp snap that stays snappy warm, slightly earthy finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger citrus (orange or lemon) brown butter honey or maple yogurt or labneh feta

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) tops turning yellow and wilting, and what can I do?

Yellow, wilting foliage in carrots is often a sign of root rot problems associated with constantly wet, poorly drained beds. Water only when the top 1 inch of soil is drying, keep the row well-drained, and remove any severely diseased plants so the rot doesn’t spread. If you see patches and the soil stays soggy after watering, amend with compost and avoid overwatering for the rest of the season.

How often should I water Kyoto Red carrots during the main growing phase to avoid misshapen roots?

During active root bulking, keep the bed evenly moist but not waterlogged—typically about 1 inch of water per week, split into 1–2 waterings. If the soil dries too far between waterings, roots can fork or become fibrous; use a light, frequent soak to maintain consistent moisture. Stop heavy watering near harvest so roots don’t split easily.

How can I tell when Kyoto Red carrots are ready to harvest at about 75 days?

Harvest when the roots have reached their expected size for your seed packet and the shoulders are visible at the soil surface. Pull one or two as a test: mature roots should be firm with a clear, smooth orange/red color rather than thin and tapered. For the best sweetness, harvest before hard freezes and loosen soil first to avoid snapping the roots.