Purple Sun

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Silky, inky purple shoulders fade into a warm, honeyed core—Purple Sun Danvers carrots offer a striking, jewel-toned sweetness with a crisp, tender bite.

At maturity (about 75 days), the roots form classic Danvers length and taper, staying pleasantly snappy for fresh use and roasting, while their vivid color also shines in vibrant sauces and pickles.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Purple Sun 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	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Purple Sun keeps a Danvers-like taper with a crisp, tender bite—ideal when you want sweetness without going limp. The dark shoulder pigments behave beautifully in pickles and purees, giving you jewel-toned color while still tasting like honeyed carrot, not purple “stain.”

Best Uses

shaved raw salads where the snap stays intact
roasting with a high-heat glaze so the sugars caramelize
quick-pickle slices for color and crunch
blended carrot sauces that turn glossy without tasting muddy

Flavor Profile

inky purple-shoulder sweetness warm honeyed carrot core crisp-tender bite earthy, faintly peppery finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger honey butter yogurt citrus (orange or lemon) cumin

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Daucus carota (purple carrots), and how do I control it?

Carrot root fly (often seen as larval tunnels in roots) is the most common major pest in home beds, especially in warm, still weather. Cover seedbeds with fine mesh row cover as soon as seedlings emerge, keep weeds down, and remove any badly infested plants early to reduce fly attraction. If you see rotting, remove affected plants and avoid overwatering because Apiaceae roots are prone to rot when the soil stays wet.

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

From thinning through root bulking, keep the top 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, usually about 1 in (2.5 cm) per week total from rain plus irrigation. Water deeply when the surface begins to dry, then avoid frequent light sprinkling that can encourage shallow roots and forking. Aim for steady moisture through the whole 75-day period; drying out and then soaking can increase cracking and misshapen roots.

How can I tell when Daucus carota var. sativus ‘Purple Sun’ is ready to harvest?

Start checking around day 70, and plan to harvest at about 75 days when the root tops are clearly filled and the shoulders are well-developed above the soil. Gently pull one to confirm size, then harvest the rest promptly; leaving mature purple carrots in the ground too long can lead to tougher roots. For best flavor and color, harvest before heavy frosts when possible and avoid bruising the purple skin.