Little Finger

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, crisp, and vividly tender—Little Finger baby carrots arrive with a delightfully snap-forward bite and a clean, carrot-sweet flavor that feels bright even straight from the garden.

Their slender, finger-length roots develop a smooth, fine-grained texture and a warm orange glow that roasts up beautifully, while also shining in fresh salads, quick pickles, and vibrant sauces. Ideal for gardeners who want uniform, bite-size harvests at about 70 days, Little Finger turns every thinning into a harvestable treat.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Taproot

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 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Little Finger baby carrots are built for texture: they stay fine-grained and snappy, so they don’t turn to wool in a hot pan. Roast them until the edges just bronzify, or pickle them for a sweet-tart crunch that hits like a fresh bite between richer flavors.

Best Uses

shuck-and-eat raw with salty dip (snap stays loud)
quick pickles where they keep a snappy bite
sheet-pan roasting for caramelized edges without turning mushy
glossy warm salads with butter, herbs, and citrus

Flavor Profile

clean carrot-sweet flavor snap-forward crispness fine-grained tenderness roast-sweet, slightly caramel edges

Kitchen Pairings

honey ginger lemon olive oil dill butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Solanum melongena (Little Finger eggplant), and how do I manage it at home?

Eggplant commonly suffers from Colorado potato beetles and can also develop bacterial wilt or early blight under warm, humid conditions. Hand-pick beetles and destroy egg masses, then spray targeted neem or insecticidal soap when first adults appear; for disease, remove yellowing lower leaves and water at the soil line to keep foliage dry. If bacterial wilt is suspected (sudden wilting without leaf spots), remove infected plants promptly to protect the rest of your bed.

How often should I water Little Finger eggplant during peak fruiting, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During peak fruiting, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist by watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot, windy weather. Aim for even moisture—eggplant will drop blossoms and fruit if the soil swings between wet and dry. Use deep watering so the root zone stays evenly damp, not waterlogged.

How can I tell when Little Finger eggplant (Solanum melongena) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are firm, glossy, and reach about 6–8 inches long with a fully colored skin; avoid letting them get dull or seed-spongy. Use scissors or pruners to cut the fruit with a short stem, and harvest frequently because small delays can make the next set slow down. Plan for roughly 70 days from transplant/growth toward first harvest under good conditions.