Root vegetables
21days to harvest
10-17days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easy to moderatedifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow 2-3 weeks before last frost. Make successive plantings every 2-3 weeks through summer for continuous harvest.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, consistent moisture
Soil
Deep, loose, well-drained sandy loam
Soil pH
6.0-6.8
Spacing
2-3 inches
Height
0-3 feet
Season
Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Deep orange throughout
Size
1 cm
Shape
Cylindrical Nantes-type with blunt tip
Flavour
Exceptionally sweet and crisp with fine texture and minimal core

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, juicing, cooking, storage, baby food, gourmet preparations

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Carrot fly, aphids, wireworms
Diseases
Alternaria leaf blight, bacterial soft rot
Resistance
Good resistance to leaf blight and cavity spot

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyJune – September
2——May – JulyJune – September
3——May – JuneMay – October
4——April – JuneMay – October
5——April – MayMay – November
6——April – MayApril – November
7——March – MayApril – November
8——March – AprilMarch – December
9——February – MarchFebruary – December
10——January – MarchFebruary – December
11——January – FebruaryJanuary – December
12——January – FebruaryJanuary – December
13——January – FebruaryJanuary – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

ChivesRepels carrot rust flies and aphids with their strong onion scent
LeeksMask carrot scent from carrot rust flies and improve soil structure
RosemaryStrong aromatic oils repel carrot flies and other harmful insects
SageDeters carrot rust flies and cabbage moths with its intense fragrance
LettuceShallow roots don't compete, provides ground cover and efficient space use
RadishesBreak up compacted soil for carrot root development and mature quickly
TomatoesRoot vegetables and nightshades complement each other's growth patterns
MarigoldsRelease compounds that repel nematodes and other soil-dwelling pests

Avoid

DillCan stunt carrot growth and attract carrot rust flies when flowering
ParsnipsSame family susceptible to identical pests and diseases, creating concentrated problems
CorianderMay inhibit carrot germination and early growth through allelopathic effects

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g)
41
Protein (g)
0.93
Fat (g)
0.24
Carbohydrate (g)
9.58
Fibre (g)
2.8
Sugars (g)
4.74
Vitamin A (µg)
835
Vitamin C (mg)
5.9
Vitamin E (mg)
0.66
Vitamin K (µg)
13.2
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.138
Folate (µg)
19
Calcium (mg)
33
Iron (mg)
0.3
Magnesium (mg)
12
Phosphorus (mg)
35
Potassium (mg)
320
Zinc (mg)
0.24
Selenium (µg)
0.1

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the root vegetables growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Nelson Carrot?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Similar varieties

Other root vegetables with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Nelson Carrot suits these too.

Browse all 56 root vegetables