Mokum

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweetly aromatic and sun-warm in the hand, Mokum carrots develop a smooth, tender crunch with a classic Nantes profile—uniform, gently tapered roots that roast to caramel-kissed depth or shine fresh with their clean, garden-sweet flavor.

The flesh stays pleasantly crisp and fine-grained, making it especially delightful for vibrant salads and bright, silky sauces. A cool-season favorite for home growers, Mokum’s steady performance rewards careful sowing with an elegant harvest at about 70 days.

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	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

Mokum is a classic Nantes in the best way: smooth roots with a fine-grained, reliably crisp texture that won’t turn mealy. Use it raw to keep the snap under dressing, or roast just until bronzed—its sweetness blooms and clings to the fat and acids you pair it with.

Best Uses

thin ribbons or coins in a vinaigrette salad where they stay snappy
sheet-pan roasting until edges bronze for a glossy, caramel finish
blended carrot purée or silky sauce (for soups, braises) without grittiness
quick pickling or quick-glaze in honey-butter for bright sweetness

Flavor Profile

clean, garden-sweet carrot flavor fine-grained crunch with a tender bite sun-warm sweetness that roasts into caramel-kissed depth gentle, aromatic carrot-top greeniness

Kitchen Pairings

ginger honey butter goat cheese cumin orange

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Daucus carota (carrot), and how can I manage it in my garden?

Carrots are commonly hit by Alternaria leaf blight, which shows up as dark, target-like spots on leaves and can spread during warm, humid weather. Remove and destroy infected foliage early, improve airflow by thinning carrots to the recommended spacing, and avoid overhead watering so leaves dry quickly. If the problem keeps recurring, rotate out of the Apiaceae family (carrot, celery, parsley) in the same bed for at least 2–3 years.

How often should I water carrots during the main growing phase to keep roots from becoming fibrous or splitting?

From sprouting through bulking (roughly weeks 2–8), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist, watering lightly but more frequently so seeds and young roots don’t dry out. Once roots are established, water to soak 6–8 inches deep about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, and avoid big swings in moisture that can cause cracking. Mulch lightly to reduce surface drying and keep moisture even.

How do I tell when Daucus carota var. sativus is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 70 days from sowing when the shoulders of the roots are clearly visible above the soil and have reached the expected size for your variety. If you see a thick “carrot” top and the roots feel firm, you can pull a test row—overgrown carrots often get tougher. For best flavor, harvest before prolonged hot weather and loosen soil with a fork to avoid snapping roots.