Rainbow

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Rainbow to a garden.

Sweetly fragrant and sunlit in the bed, Rainbow Danvers Carrot delivers a vivid spectrum of color—warm orange cores with rosy-gold to deep purple shoulders—wrapped in a smooth, crisp texture that stays tender.

At maturity (about 70 days), the classic Danvers silhouette tapers neatly for uniform, satisfying pull-up roots, ideal for roasting to caramelize their natural sugars or enjoying fresh for a bright, garden-sweet crunch. Its striking striping and color play make it a standout in mixed harvests and vibrant sauces, too.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Rainbow 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 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
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

This Danvers-style “Rainbow” keeps a clean, crisp bite and sweet aroma even after heat, so it roasts into caramel without collapsing. Use the purple-shouldered sections for visual punch in raw or quick-pickled applications, and let ginger/lime sharpen the sweetness instead of flattening it.

Best Uses

roasting until caramelized for glossy edges and concentrated sweetness
shaved raw for salads and slaws where the crunch stays intact
quick pickling to keep the purple-gold streaks vivid and tangy
blending into a silky puree for bright orange sauces

Flavor Profile

sweet, carrot-strong flavor with a warm, fragrant snap crisp, smooth texture that turns tender without going mushy mild earthy undertone with bright, sunlit sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

ginger lime honey butter cumin goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Daucus carota (carrot), and how can I treat it at home?

Watch for carrot rust fly and the larvae that tunnel into roots, often showing as wilting tops and hollowed roots. Cover carrot beds with fine insect netting after sowing and keep weeds down; if you see damage, remove affected plants to reduce larvae and re-sow in a different spot next season. Carrot leaf spots and powdery mildew can also occur in humid weather—space plants for airflow and avoid wetting the foliage when irrigating.

How often should I water Daucus carota during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

Water deeply enough to keep the top 1–3 inches consistently moist, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and your soil, then reduce frequency once roots size up. Uneven moisture (letting beds dry and then flooding) can cause cracking and forked roots—aim for steady moisture, not cycles. Mulch lightly after seedlings establish to help hold moisture without staying soggy.

How do I tell when Daucus carota is ready to harvest?

Start checking around 70 days: look for the “shoulders” of the roots pushing up and filling the row, with a visible carrot top above the soil. Gently pull one to judge size—most are ready when they’re tender and reach the expected diameter for your seed packet, rather than staying thin and woody. Harvest promptly once they’re the right size to avoid tough, pithy roots.