Nantes Scarlet

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your spoon into the vivid sweetness of Nantes Scarlet—its roots ripen to a rich, warm scarlet-orange with a fine, tapered silhouette and a crisp, tender bite.

The flesh stays delightfully smooth and juicy, with a classic Nantes texture that shines in fresh salads and quick-roasting trays, or shines through in bright sauces and vivid pickles. A cool-season favorite for gardeners who love reliable, uniform roots that look as striking as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Nantes Scarlet

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	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nantes Scarlet is built for a clean, crisp mouthfeel—its tender, fine flesh doesn’t turn mealy, so it stays elegant in salads and fast heat. When you roast or pickle it, you get real sweetness with a juicy snap, not a soft, watery fade.

Best Uses

raw ribbons or coin-salads that stay snappy under vinaigrette
quick-roasted sheet-pan carrots that caramelize at the edges without going woody
bright, quick pickles where the texture keeps a clean crunch
smooth carrot-forward sauces/purees for a silky body

Flavor Profile

vivid sweet carrot flavor crisp-tender, juicy bite smooth, fine-grained flesh with gentle earthiness

Kitchen Pairings

ginger lime honey tahini cumin feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Daucus carota (carrot) and how do I fix it?

Carrot fly (and its maggots) is the most common problem, often causing tunnels and stunted roots. Cover beds with fine insect mesh as soon as seedlings emerge, keep weeds down, and pull any infested plants immediately to prevent larvae from moving to healthy roots. If you notice leaf-feeding damage and wilting, check the soil surface near stems for maggots and remove affected roots before the next generation can develop.

How often should I water Nantes Scarlet carrots during the main growing phase?

During active root bulking (roughly weeks 4–10), keep the top 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) of soil consistently evenly moist—typically about 1 in (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply, then avoid letting the soil dry out completely; fluctuations can lead to cracking and misshapen roots. Use a gentle flow to prevent washing seeds/seedlings and water early in the day.

How can I tell when Nantes Scarlet carrots (Daucus carota var. sativus) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when roots are fully colored and typically about finger-thick (often around 1/2–3/4 in / 1.3–2 cm) and reach the packet timing of about 75 days. If you see the shoulder of the root lifting at the soil surface, check one for diameter before pulling the rest. For best sweetness, harvest on a dry day and avoid leaving them too long in hot weather, which can reduce quality.