Nantes

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet as fresh honey with a bright, carrot-top fragrance, Nantes delivers a smooth, tender bite and a pleasantly crisp snap from garden to table.

This Danvers-class selection forms uniform, medium-long roots with a classic tapered silhouette—deep orange through the core—ideal for roasting to caramelized sweetness, steaming for clean, garden-fresh flavor, and grating into vibrant salads and slaws. At about 75 days, it’s a reliable cool-season favorite for growers who want dependable size and a beautifully even harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 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 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	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nantes is the kind of carrot you can eat raw and still feel a juicy snap—its sweetness hangs on without turning flabby. Roast it hot for real caramel edges, or steam and glaze so it keeps that garden-fresh, carrot-top perfume.

Best Uses

roast until lacquered and caramel-edged
steam and glaze with butter for a glossy, sweet bite
grate into apple-cabbage style slaw with a sharp vinegar dressing
cut into batons and quick-cook for snappy-tender texture

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness crisp, tender snap bright green carrot-top fragrance clean, lightly earthy core

Kitchen Pairings

ginger orange butter honey cumin feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Spinacia oleracea (Nantes spinach), and how can I prevent it?

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is especially prone to downy mildew, which shows up as pale yellow patches on leaves with a gray-violet growth underneath. Keep the canopy drier by watering at the soil line, spacing plants to improve airflow, and removing infected leaves right away. If you see a new spot spreading, stop overhead watering and restart with fresh, untreated seed once conditions cool, since mildew can build quickly in damp weather.

How often should I water Nantes spinach during its main growth phase (around the 3–6 weeks after germination)?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—typically about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and wind. Water deeply in the morning and aim for steady moisture because fluctuating dryness followed by heavy watering can stress plants and slow leaf expansion. If leaves start to look dull or wilt in mid-day, increase frequency slightly rather than giving a large soaking at longer intervals.

How do I know when to harvest Nantes spinach (Spinacia oleracea)?

Harvest when leaves are fully expanded and tender, usually about 40–60 days from sowing for baby leaves, and closer to ~75 days for larger heads/leaf clusters. Pick outer leaves first (snip at the base) when they’re about palm-sized, or harvest the whole plant if it reaches its full, vigorous rosette. Avoid waiting until the plant bolts—once flowering stems start, leaves turn tougher and more bitter.