Naval

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweet and richly aromatic from the first bite, ‘Naval’ Imperator carrots mature into long, true-to-type roots with a smooth, satiny surface and a vivid, warm orange core.

Their crisp texture holds beautifully—tender yet satisfyingly snappy—making them a standout for fresh snacking, roasting to caramelized sweetness, and brightening sauces with their natural depth. Grow ‘Naval’ for a dependable 75-day harvest that delivers show-stopping color and clean, straight form in the garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Naval 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This Imperator “Naval” line leans hard into straight-up sweetness and aroma, so it rewards high heat and quick caramelization without collapsing. Treat it like a crunchy sweet vegetable—roast hot for edges, or shave raw so its snap stays loud next to acidic and tangy partners.

Best Uses

roast whole or thick-cut for fast caramelized edges (snappy, not mushy)
shave raw into salads or slaws where they hold crunch under dressing
glaze or puree into a velvety soup that stays sweet without turning flat
julienne and toss into stir-fries for a clean, bright, snappy texture

Flavor Profile

sweet, richly aromatic bite crisp, satiny snap with tender interior vivid orange core sweetness that caramelizes quickly bright, carrot-top herbaceous lift in the finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger cumin honey butter lemon goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common problem with carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) like 'naval', and how do I treat it?

Watch for Alternaria leaf blight (target-like spots with yellowing) and manage it early by removing heavily spotted leaves and avoiding overhead watering. Improve airflow with wider spacing and keep the bed evenly moist (stressed plants are more prone), then rotate out of carrot-family crops for at least 3 years to reduce carryover.

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

During the main growth period (from when seedlings establish until roots fill), keep the top 1–2 in of soil consistently moist with deep watering 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and heat. Don’t let the bed dry out and then soak again—carrots that swing between dry and wet are more likely to crack and fork.

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

Harvest when roots reach about 3/4 to 1 in (2–3 cm) across and the tops are still healthy, typically around 70–85 days after sowing. Gently pull one or two plants to check size; if they look thin, wait a week and recheck to avoid harvesting undersized roots.