Romance

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, garden-fresh flavor arrives with a silky, tender crunch—Romance carrots (Nantes type) mature into slender, perfectly tapered roots that feel refined in the hand and sing with true carrot sweetness.

Their smooth, bright orange skins roast up beautifully, while their crisp texture shines in fresh salads and quick pickles, holding their snap with a clean, aromatic bite. At about 75 days, Romance rewards steady warmth with an elegant harvest window and roots that look as good as they taste.

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)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

A Nantes-style carrot like Romance has that rare combo of real sweetness and a refined, almost silky crunch—so it doesn’t just taste good, it holds texture. Use it raw or lightly dressed for maximum snap, or roast just until the edges caramelize; it stays elegant instead of turning dry or fibrous.

Best Uses

quick pickles where they must stay snappy
shaving raw into salads or slaws with a light vinaigrette
roasting until caramelized at the edges without going woody
buttery-glazed herbagnostic side (finish with salt and fat)

Flavor Profile

sweet, true carrot sugar silky-tender crunch clean, aromatic bite roasty sweetness with a smooth finish

Kitchen Pairings

honey butter ginger lemon yogurt feta

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Carrot rust fly larvae can tunnel into roots, and early damage often looks like stunted, forked roots near the soil line. Cover beds with fine mesh row cover soon after sowing and keep it on until tops are well established; remove any infested plants and avoid leaving cull roots in the bed to prevent reinfestation.

How often should I water during the main growing phase for Daucus carota?

From when seedlings emerge through root bulking (roughly weeks 3–10), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently evenly moist—typically about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings, but don’t let it fully dry out, because carrots form poorly when they cycle between wet and drought.

How can I tell when my carrots are ready to harvest (Daucus carota var. sativus)?

Start checking around 70–75 days: look for the top of the root crown pushing up at the soil surface and size that matches the packet (many home varieties are pullable when the crown is thumb- to finger-thick). For the sweetest flavor, harvest in cool weather and pull gently without twisting; if roots fork easily, the soil may be too hard or you’re harvesting late.