Malbec

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly earthy and richly aromatic, Malbec Danvers Carrot brings a deep, wine-kissed allure to the garden—tender when young, with a crisp, snap-forward texture that holds its character.

Its classic Danvers silhouette develops into a smooth, well-shaped root with a vivid, saturated tone that feels almost velvety in the hand. Grow Malbec for standout color and dependable harvest timing, ideal for showcasing in fresh displays, vibrant roasts, and vivid sauces that benefit from its naturally sweet depth.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Malbec 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 24th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Aug 10th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Malbec Danvers carrots bring a sweet, aromatic profile that tastes like concentrated garden sugar with an earthy backbone—best when you treat them like the main character. Roast or purée them and they go velvety, but if you want that snap, serve them raw or very lightly dressed so they don’t lose their crisp geometry.

Best Uses

raw ribbons or batons in a crunchy salad where the snap stays intact
roasting with high heat to concentrate sugars and caramelize the edges
glossy purées for soups and velouté-style sauces
quick braises or glazed sides where the root turns tender without going fluffy

Flavor Profile

sweet earthiness aromatic, lightly wine-kissed carrot sweetness crisp snap when young silky tenderness when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

honey ginger cumin butter yogurt smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my carrots (Daucus carota var. sativus) getting holes or tunnels, and what should I do?

Holes and sawdust-like frass on roots are often carrot fly maggots. Protect plants with fine row cover once seeds germinate and keep it on until you harvest; also remove nearby weeds that can host adults. If infestation is already present, pull and discard the worst roots, thin crowded seedlings for better airflow, and avoid replanting carrots in the same bed for at least 2–3 years.

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

From about 3–4 weeks after germination through root enlargement, keep the top 1–2 in of soil consistently moist, typically about 1 inch of water per week total (more during hot, dry spells). Water in deep, less-frequent cycles rather than light sprinkles—uneven moisture can cause root cracking and misshapen roots.

How can I tell when carrots are ready to harvest (about 70 days)?

Start checking around day 70: the top of each root should show well-developed shoulder color at the soil surface and the roots should feel firm rather than rubbery. If you can’t see much shoulder, gently loosen soil beside a plant and pull one to test size—most varieties are sweetest when they’re harvested promptly after they reach a usable diameter.