Nantes Half Long

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, garden-fresh flavor blooms from a slender, half-long Nantes form—tender and richly aromatic with a crisp, juicy bite.

Nantes Half Long develops a smooth, even surface and a bright orange core that stays pleasantly fine-textured, making it a standout for roasting, fresh snacking, and vibrant sauces. Reliable for cool-season growing, it matures in about 75 days with roots that look as good as they taste—straight, uniform, and ready when the season turns.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

Botanical illustration of Nantes Half Long

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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nantes Half Long gives you that carrot sweetness up front with a clean, fine interior—no stringy mop-up required. Roast or puree it and it turns glossy and vivid fast, holding onto a crisp-eat character even after heat.

Best Uses

roasting on high heat to caramelize the surface while keeping the inside snappy
raw snacking or shaved salads where the thin profile stays crisp
blitzing into a vivid carrot-ginger puree/sauce that stays silky without needing heavy thickening
quick sauté or glaze where the sugars lacquer fast and evenly

Flavor Profile

sweet, garden-fresh carrots with a crisp juicy bite tender, fine-textured core that stays less fibrous than big-field types bright orange, slightly earthy sweetness that reads “fresh” more than “rooty”

Kitchen Pairings

ginger cumin orange zest butter yogurt chicken or white fish

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) problems like aster yellows or carrot rust fly?

For aster yellows, watch for yellowing and stunted tops; remove and destroy affected plants promptly because there’s no home cure and the condition spreads. For carrot rust fly, use fine row cover from sowing until the tops are well established, and pull any volunteer carrot plants that can host the pest.

How often should I water Nantes-type carrots during the main growing phase to avoid cracking or misshapen roots?

After germination, keep the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil consistently moist with light, frequent waterings—typically about 3–4 times per week depending on heat—so roots grow evenly for the first 6–8 weeks. Once roots are bulking (roughly mid-season), water deeply to about 6–8 in (15–20 cm) when the surface dries, but avoid letting the soil swing from very dry to very wet.

When are Nantes Half Long carrots ready to harvest, and how can I tell the right size?

Start checking at about 70–75 days: Nantes Half Long should have firm, smooth roots that are roughly 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) wide near the soil surface and reach their expected length (often around 6–8 in / 15–20 cm). Harvest by loosening the soil with a fork and pulling one or two; if they’re still thin or tapered with soft tips, leave the rest to bulk for another week.