Naval

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

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

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	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.