Yaya

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, garden-fresh flavor leads the way with Yaya—an elegant Nantes carrot that ripens to a vivid, warm orange and carries a tender, crisp bite.

The roots are smooth and finely tapered, with a satisfying, juicy texture that holds its charm from first harvest through storage. Grow Yaya for reliable, uniform roots and a classic Nantes silhouette prized for fresh bunching and vibrant color in every bed.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 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 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
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)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Yaya’s Nantes shape brings a juicy, tender-crisp bite—sweet without turning starchy—so it shines either raw or with quick heat. Use it where you want the carrot to taste like carrot: minimal seasoning, fast cook, and a buttery-sweet finish that won’t mute its brightness.

Best Uses

fresh bunch-slicing with flaky salt and cultured butter
shaved carrot salads that stay snappy under vinaigrette
glazed roast or pan-roasted carrots (honey-butter)
juice-forward soups where the carrot flavor reads pure

Flavor Profile

sweet, clean carrot sweetness tender-crisp juicy bite gentle herbaceous edge bright, warm orange character

Kitchen Pairings

butter honey ginger lemon thyme yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus), and what should I do?

A frequent problem is carrot rust fly, whose larvae tunnel into roots, making them look swollen or bitter and often unmarketable. Use a fine mesh row cover from sowing until tops are well established, and remove any damaged roots promptly so larvae don’t spread. If you see fungal leaf spots, avoid wetting the foliage and improve airflow by thinning early to prevent crowded carrot tops.

How often should I water carrots during the main growing phase?

During active root bulking (after seedlings are established), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, aiming for roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rain and irrigation. Water deeply so moisture reaches the developing taproot, and reduce frequency if you see cracking or splitting, which often comes from irregular watering. Mulch lightly to steady moisture, especially in warm weather.

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

Check the roots early by gently brushing aside soil at the shoulder; harvest when the shoulders are at your desired diameter, commonly around 70 days from sowing. Tops won’t always indicate maturity reliably, so use root size as your main cue. Harvest before prolonged hot weather or stress, which can reduce sweetness and cause tougher roots.