Royal Chantenay

Carrot

Zone 9a Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Royal Chantenay

🌱 80d to harvest Taproot

Sweet and richly aromatic, Royal Chantenay delivers a deep, carrot-orange harvest with a pleasantly crisp bite and fine-grained t…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Mar 6th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Mar 6th
Harvest Begins	May 25th
Harvest Ends	Nov 26th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Daucus carota (carrots) like Royal Chantenay, and how can I manage it?

Carrot rust fly maggots can tunnel into roots, often showing as weakened plants and “maggoty” scars near the crown. Cover beds with fine mesh row cover after sowing and keep it in place until the roots are well established, then thin seedlings so you don’t leave overcrowded clumps that attract egg-laying. If you see damage, remove affected roots and don’t reuse that soil immediately for carrots the next season to reduce carryover of pests.

How often should I water Royal Chantenay during the main growing phase to keep roots growing well?

From emergence through root bulking (roughly weeks 4–10), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist with light, frequent watering—usually about 1 inch per week total, adjusted for rainfall. Avoid letting the bed dry out completely and then soaking, because carrots are prone to splitting and forking when moisture swings. Mulch lightly after seedlings establish to stabilize moisture and reduce surface crusting.

How do I tell when Royal Chantenay is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the roots have reached the expected shoulder size for the variety and you can see the top of the carrot well above the soil surface, typically around 80 days from sowing. Gently pull one or two test roots: they should be firm, brightly colored, and uniform in thickness without overly small tips. If tops are still very small at day 80, wait another 1–2 weeks, but don’t leave them too long past maturity because growth slows and can become woody.

Sweet and richly aromatic, Royal Chantenay delivers a deep, carrot-orange harvest with a pleasantly crisp bite and fine-grained tenderness. The roots are characteristically short and stout for the Chantenay class—ideal for roasting, fresh snacking, and vibrant mashes, while their naturally sweet flavor shines in glazed sides and pickled preparations. Garden to table in about 80 days, with a steady, dependable crop that rewards even small spaces with bold color and clean, uniform roots.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 45°F and nights stay above 28°F before moving outdoors.

Expert Note

Direct-sow in well-worked beds and keep the seed row consistently moist until germination to avoid forking and root cracking.