Scarlet Nantes

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweetly fragrant, with a vivid scarlet exterior that glows like polished lacquer, Scarlet Nantes delivers tender, crisp roots that stay pleasantly fine-grained from garden to table.

The classic Nantes profile—slender and gently tapered—offers a juicy bite and a bright, carrot-sweet flavor that shines in fresh salads, quick roasting, and vibrant sauces. Grow it for color you can taste, and for roots that lift cleanly for effortless harvest at about 65 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Taproot

Botanical illustration of Scarlet Nantes

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	Jun 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
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

Scarlet Nantes is a Nantes-type carrot with that trademark fine, juicy bite—less fibrous, more crisp-sweet, so it holds up in cold preparations instead of turning chalky. Its vivid color cooks into a glossy, almost candied sweetness that mates cleanly with citrus, ginger heat, and dairy fats without dulling its brightness.

Best Uses

shaved raw salads with lemony vinaigrette (won’t turn gritty)
quick roasting on hot sheet pans for caramelized edges while staying snappy
glossy carrot purée or nappe-style sauce—smooth, not starchy
fast pickles or quick lacto brine to keep that lacquer-bright crunch

Flavor Profile

carrot-sweet, gently perfumed tender with a crisp snap fine-grained juiciness bright, clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

ginger honey orange butter Greek yogurt coriander

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest for Daucus carota (Scarlet Nantes) and how can I control it?

Carrot rust fly larvae and carrot weevil are frequent pests, but “carrot root” damage usually shows as tunneling and misshapen roots. Cover seedbeds with insect netting immediately after sowing, keep weeds down, and remove and discard any badly infested plants so larvae don’t continue in the soil. If you see mostly foliage-only damage, check for feeding holes and treat by removing affected tops and re-covering vulnerable beds rather than disturbing roots too much.

How often should I water Scarlet Nantes during the main growing phase?

Keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist from sowing until seedlings emerge, then water to wet deeper as roots form. During steady growth (about weeks 3–8), water about 1 inch per week total, split into 1–2 sessions, aiming for even moisture so roots don’t crack or fork. Let the surface start to dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the bed to go dry for long stretches—carrots respond with splitting and woody texture.

How do I tell when Scarlet Nantes is ready to harvest (65 days)?

Start checking around day 60: the shoulders should be visible at the soil surface and the roots typically reach finger-to-dime size for this cultivar. Harvest when roots are firm and brightly colored—if you wait until they grow much larger, carrots can become more fibrous and may split. Loosen the soil with a fork and pull gently to avoid snapping the taproot.