Purple Dragon

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your fingers into Purple Dragon’s velvety, ink-purple shoulders and watch the color fade to a luminous orange core as the roots mature.

Sweet and earthy with a crisp, fine-grained bite, these Danvers-shaped carrots roast to caramelized depth while staying tender—ideal for brightening fresh platters, silky purées, and vivid pickled accents.

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)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Purple Dragon’s Danvers shape and fine-grained crunch make it hold up under heat without going woody—roast it hot for caramelized shoulders and a tender center. The purple skin fades, but the sweetness and earthy snap stay, so it’s built for both bright fresh platters and orange-kissed purées.

Best Uses

hot-sheet roasting until edges lacquer and centers stay tender
silky purée or soup where the sweetness doesn’t turn cloying
quick-pickle ribbons for sharp, vividly colored crunch
raw shaved salads where the bite stays snappy

Flavor Profile

sweet, earthy carrot core crisp, fine-grained bite roasty, caramel-leaning sugars mild peppery finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime ginger honey cumin feta butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Daucus carota (Purple Dragon carrot), and how do I treat them?

Carrots commonly suffer from carrot rust fly, which causes tunneling near the crown and small, stunted roots. Use a fine insect net over the bed from just after sowing until plants are established, and pull and compost any badly tunneled roots early to break the life cycle. If you see white, powdery growth, thin plants for airflow and avoid wetting foliage; severe infections can be reduced by removing heavily affected leaves so the roots can continue developing.

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

After germination, keep the top 2–3 inches of soil evenly moist so roots develop straight; aim for light, frequent watering in warm weather rather than soaking then drying out. Once plants are established, water about 1 inch per week total (from rain plus irrigation), adjusting so the soil never dries out completely or stays waterlogged. Uneven moisture encourages cracking and forked roots in carrots.

How can I tell when Purple Dragon carrots are ready to harvest?

Start checking around 70–75 days: look for shoulders pushing up at the soil line and size the roots reach the variety’s expected diameter (often 1/2–1 inch for home plantings). Harvest when roots are firm and brightly colored; avoid leaving them in the ground too long because they can become woody. Pull one or two as test samples and harvest the rest promptly once they match the test roots’ size and firmness.