St. Valery

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, sun-warmed flavor meets a beautifully crisp bite in St.

Valery Imperator carrots—long, well-filled roots that hold their tenderness from garden to table. The flesh is deep orange and notably smooth, with a fine-grained texture that stays pleasantly snappy whether enjoyed fresh or roasted for caramelized sweetness. Ideal for home growers seeking dependable, uniform roots at about 75 days, St. Valery shines in vibrant salads, silky sauces, and classic pickling for a bright, garden-fresh tang.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Taproot

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	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

St. Valery Imperators are built for a clean, crisp bite—long, well-filled roots that stay tender instead of turning soft and fibrous. Roast them until the edges caramelize, then hit them with acid or ginger so the sweetness doesn’t steamroll everything.

Best Uses

fresh matchstick or ribbon salads where the crunch must stay bright
roasted sheet-pan carrots for caramelized edges without going mealy
silk-smooth carrot purée or velouté-style soups
classic fridge pickles/quickles for a tangy, crisp snap

Flavor Profile

sweet, sun-warmed carrot sweetness deep orange, smooth flesh with fine-grained bite snappy crunch that holds through roasting clean, lightly earthy finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter ginger honey citrus (orange or lemon) feta or goat cheese coriander

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my carrots (Daucus carota var. sativus) getting black, fuzzy spots or sudden wilting and how do I control it?

These symptoms are often “damping-off” or root rots driven by consistently wet soil. Water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry, avoid overhead watering, and thin seedlings early so the row stays airy. If you see infected plants, remove them promptly and don’t replant in the same spot for at least a season.

How often should I water carrots during the main growing phase to form straight, thick roots?

During active root bulking (roughly weeks 4–10 after sowing), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1–2 inches to stay lightly damp. In typical warm weather, that’s about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 shorter waterings to prevent crusting and uneven growth. Let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings so the roots aren’t kept constantly saturated.

How can I tell when St. Valery carrots are ready to harvest?

Harvest around 70–85 days after sowing (St. Valery is often near 75 days), and check the “shoulders” where the orange tops start to show at the soil surface. Pull one test carrot: it’s ready when the roots reach the expected diameter for your variety and the roots feel firm rather than skinny. Harvest before prolonged hot weather or after a heavy rain cycle when the soil is workable to reduce cracking.