How to Grow Imperator 58 Carrot
Daucus carota 'Imperator 58'
Imperator 58 Carrot is a popular heirloom root vegetable prized for its large, cylindrical shape and sweet flavor. Gardeners grow this variety to add substantial yields of nutritious carrots to their cool-season gardens while enjoying good resistance to common leaf diseases.
📷 Wikipedia: Daucus carotaStarting Imperator 58 Carrot: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Imperator 58 Carrot is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors rather than starting indoors, as carrots have tiny seeds that are difficult to transplant successfully.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fine-textured soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 to encourage straight root growth. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Press seeds lightly into the soil at a depth of about half an inch, as they need light for germination. Expect sprouts in 14 to 21 days.
Space seedlings 2 to 3 inches apart once they have developed their first true leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist with about one inch of water per week to prevent forked roots. Apply a light layer of mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the tops of young carrots.
Watch for carrot rust fly, wireworms, and flea beetles; use row covers or crop rotation to manage these pests effectively. Monitor leaves for Alternaria blight, bacterial soft rot, or cavity spot by ensuring good air circulation. Harvest the large roots when they reach maturity in 70 to 75 days from sowing.
When to Plant Imperator 58 Carrot
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Imperator 58 Carrot
✓ Good companions
Repels carrot rust fly and aphids with their strong scent
Confuses carrot fly with different scent, mutual pest protection
Shallow roots don't compete, helps shade soil and retain moisture
Deters nematodes and carrot rust flies while attracting beneficial insects
Break up compacted soil ahead of carrots, quick harvest frees space
Strong aromatic oils repel carrot fly and other pests
Repels carrot rust fly and cabbage moths with aromatic compounds
Carrots help break up soil for tomato roots, tomatoes provide shade
✗ Keep away from
May inhibit carrot seed germination and early growth
Can stunt carrot growth and reduce yields when planted too close
Compete for same nutrients and attract similar pests like carrot fly
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
