Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) Datasheet
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Common Name: Carrot
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Scientific Name: Daucus carota subsp. sativus
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Family: Apiaceae
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Origin: Domesticated from wild carrots native to Europe and Southwestern Asia; earliest domestication ~ 1200 years ago in Central Asia
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Zone Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–10 (biennial, grown as annual)
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Light Requirements: Full sun; tolerates partial shade
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Water Needs: Moderate—1–2″ per week; keep soil moist 4–5″ deep to avoid splitting or woody roots
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Soil Preferences: Deep, loose, stone‑free sandy‑loam; pH 5.8–6.8
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"Ponics" Compatibility:
• Aquaponics: Very compatible
• Aeroponics: Compatible
• Hydroponics: Compatible
• Preferred Method: Deep Water Culture or media-bed systems; ensure space for taproot growth -
Growth Habit: Biennial root vegetable; first year forms edible swallow taproot and leafy rosette
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Height & Spread: Foliage ~6–24″ tall; root length varies by cultivar (2″–12″)
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Time from Germination to Harvest: 60–80 days for standard varieties; baby carrots in 30–40 days
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Flowering Time: Flowers in second year if overwintered; umbels of small white flowers
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Edible Parts: Taproot; leaves sometimes used sparingly (though may be bitter or toxic to some)
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Medicinal Uses: Supports liver, urinary health; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective; carrots often used topically for skin healing
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Companion Plants: Best with onions, lettuce, leeks, chives, peas, roses; avoid dill or parsnip due to pest overlap
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Pest & Disease Resistance: Watch for carrot rust flies, aphids, fungal leaf blight; use mulch, crop rotation, airy spacing
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Harvest Time: Harvest roots at 1.5–3″ diameter; store in fridge or root cellars at 32–40°F in damp sand; greens stored fresh ~3–5 days
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Propagation Methods: Direct-seed ¼″ deep; thin seedlings to 2–3″ apart; sow every 3–4 weeks for continuous harvest
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Sustainability Features: Low-input, deep-rooted crop improves soil structure and captures nutrients; biennial seed-saving supports biodiversity
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Culinary Uses: Eaten raw, roasted, steamed, juiced; integral to soups, stews, baby foods, baby carrots, mirepoix base
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Fun Fact: The orange carrot was bred in the 17th century in the Netherlands as a tribute to the House of Orange—earlier carrots were purple, red, white, or yellow
🥕 Imperator-Type Carrots
Long, slender roots—ideal for sweet fresh eating but need deep, loose soil.
Imperator 58 (Daucus carota 'Imperator 58')
Flavor Profile: Very sweet, crisp, ideal for fresh snacking.
Culinary Uses: Perfect for fresh eating, juicing, baby carrots.
Notes: Roots grow 6–7½″ long; introduced in 1963 as an improved Nantes × Chantenay hybrid
Planting Tip: Requires deep, loose sandy-loam soil; sow in full sun after frost.
Days to Maturity: ~75 days
Tendersweet (Daucus carota 'Tendersweet')
Flavor Profile: Exceptionally sweet, tender texture.
Culinary Uses: Fresh eating, juicing, baby carrots.
Notes: A classic Imperator heirloom; very long roots.
Planting Tip: Use deep raised beds to accommodate root length.
Days to Maturity: ~70–80 days
🥕 Danvers-Type Carrots
Medium-length with rich color and coreless texture—great in heavier soils.
Danvers 126 (Daucus carota 'Danvers 126')
Flavor Profile: Sweet, rich, traditional carrot taste.
Culinary Uses: Excellent for roasting, juicing, storage.
Notes: Globe-to-tapered roots ~6–7″, introduced in late 1800s
Planting Tip: Tolerates heavier or shallower soils; ensure good organic content.
Days to Maturity: ~60 days
🥕 Nantes-Type Carrots
Cylindrical, blunt-ended, extra-sweet, and fine-grained—popular in home gardens.
Scarlet Nantes (Daucus carota 'Scarlet Nantes')
Flavor Profile: Very sweet, juicy, crisp.
Culinary Uses: Ideal for fresh eating, baby carrots, juice.
Notes: Classic Nantes heirloom; 5–7″ cylindrical roots.
Planting Tip: Prefers well-drained sandy or raised beds; mulch to keep soil cool.
Days to Maturity: ~60 days
Little Finger (Daucus carota 'Little Finger')
Flavor Profile: Sweet, delicate—child-sized treat.
Culinary Uses: Perfect for small hands, containers, salads.
Notes: Miniature Nantes ~3–4″ long; great for tight spaces .
Planting Tip: Sow densely in pots or raised beds; thin regularly.
Days to Maturity: ~50 days
🥕 Chantenay-Type Carrots
Short, thick, blunt roots—ideal for crunchy texture and heavy soils.
Red Core Chantenay (Daucus carota 'Red Core Chantenay')
Flavor Profile: Rich, sweet, classic beetlike sweetness.
Culinary Uses: Great for cooking, canning, storage.
Notes: 5″ conical roots; large core; stores well
Planting Tip: Excellent choice for clay or rocky soils; sow 2″ deep.
Days to Maturity: ~60 days
Shin Kuroda (Daucus carota 'Shin Kuroda')
Flavor Profile: Exceptionally sweet and mild.
Culinary Uses: Fresh eating, juicing, cooking.
Notes: Japanese-improved Chantenay; deep orange; heavy-soil tolerant .
Planting Tip: Sow in summer for a fall crop; excellent heat tolerance.
Days to Maturity: ~60 days
🥕 Baby and Paris Market Types
Tiny, round, or short roots; easy to grow in shallow or rocky soils.
Amsterdam Forcing (Daucus carota 'Amsterdam Forcing')
Flavor Profile: Sweet, crisp bite.
Culinary Uses: Baby carrots, snacking, mixed salads.
Notes: 3″ short roots; early-maturing; ideal for containers .
Planting Tip: Sow early spring or late summer; harvest young.
Days to Maturity: ~45 days
Atlas / Oxheart (Daucus carota 'Atlas')
Flavor Profile: Sweet and dense.
Culinary Uses: Great for heavy soil areas.
Notes: Round Parisian-style roots ~1.5″ diameter; soil-tolerant .
Planting Tip: Sow in compacted soil where long carrots won’t grow.
Days to Maturity: ~55 days
🥕 Specialty Color Varieties
Cosmic Purple (Danvers-type hybrid)
Flavor Profile: Sweet with mild spice.
Culinary Uses: Bright purple accent in salads, soups, juice.
Notes: Purple-skinned, orange inside; high anthocyanin content .
Planting Tip: Same care as Nantes; harvest before maturity to retain color.
Days to Maturity: ~60 days
Lunar White (Danvers-type)
Flavor Profile: Mild, sweet, nearly coreless.
Culinary Uses: Great for soups and mild-flavored dishes without staining.
Notes: Creamy-white roots ~6–8″; decorative and versatile .
Planting Tip: Sow in spring or fall; ensure uniform soil texture.
Days to Maturity: ~70 days
Solar Yellow (Danvers-type)
Flavor Profile: Sweet with a sharp finish.
Culinary Uses: Eye-catching juicing or sauté additions.
Notes: Yellow roots ~6–7″; cheerful accent in dishes .
Planting Tip: Sow with other Danvers types for colorful harvest.
Days to Maturity: ~60 days
🌱 Sowing & Cultivation Tips
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Soil: Deep, loose, stone-free sandy loam (pH 5.8–6.8)
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Spacing: Thin to 2–3″ apart with rows 12–18″ apart
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Succession Sowing: Every 3–4 weeks for continuous harvest
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Storage: Store at 32–40 °F in damp sand/paper at 90–95 % humidity
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