Red Cored Chantenay

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly earthy and richly aromatic, Red Cored Chantenay brings a vivid, ember-red core that glows against a warm orange exterior.

The roots are short and powerfully tapered, with a smooth, fine-grained texture that stays tender and crisp from garden to table. Grow for a dependable cool-season harvest—ideal for roasting, fresh snacking, and vibrant color in sauces and pickles.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Red Cored Chantenay

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Red Cored Chantenay 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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Cored Chantenay’s short, tapered roots give you a tight, fine-grained crunch that holds up to heat—so roasting turns sweet without turning soft or stewy. The ember-red core makes sauces and pickles look like they’re lit from within, and it pairs especially well with warm spices and tangy fats.

Best Uses

roast hard at high heat to caramelize sugars without going fluffy
raw snack sticks for crisp crunch and color
glossy carrot purée or velouté where it stays smooth (not watery)
quick-pickle slices for a jewel-toned tangy bite

Flavor Profile

sweetly earthy carrot sweetness bright, peppery herbal aroma fine-grained snap with a tender bite

Kitchen Pairings

ginger cumin honey butter goat cheese cilantro

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Daucus carota (carrot) like Red Cored Chantenay, and how do I treat it?

Carrot fly (larvae that tunnel into roots) is a frequent problem, especially in warm, coastal or long-summer areas. Cover sown beds with fine insect netting as soon as seeds germinate, and keep the area free of weeds to reduce egg-laying sites; remove and discard any severely damaged roots. If you see early foliage damage that persists, rotate crops yearly and avoid planting carrots in the same bed for 3+ years to break the pest cycle.

How often should I water Red Cored Chantenay during the main growing phase to get straight, fleshy roots?

During active root bulking (once seedlings are established and until about a few weeks before harvest), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy. In warm weather, this usually means watering deeply 1–2 times per week (more often during dry spells) so moisture reaches the full rooting depth without causing waterlogged conditions. Irregular watering can lead to cracking or forked roots, so aim for steady moisture and stop heavy watering in the final week to reduce root splitting.

How can I tell when Red Cored Chantenay carrots are ready to harvest?

Start checking around 70–75 days after sowing: gently pull back soil near the crown and look for the root shoulder to reach the expected orange diameter and color. The tops should look healthy, and you’ll see a clear red core just under the soil when you inspect a sample. Harvest promptly when they’re the right size—leaving mature carrots in the ground too long can reduce sweetness and firmness.