How to Grow Scarlet Nantes Carrot
Daucus carota 'Scarlet Nantes'
Scarlet Nantes Carrots are a popular heirloom root vegetable prized for their short, cylindrical shape and sweet flavor. Gardeners grow them in cool seasons because they produce straight, uniform roots that store well after harvest.
📷 Wikipedia: Daucus carotaStarting Scarlet Nantes Carrot: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Scarlet Nantes Carrot is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors rather than starting indoors, as carrots have poor transplant success rates and should not be moved.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, stone-free soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 to ensure smooth growth. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost date. Press the tiny seeds into the soil at a depth of about one-eighth inch. Germination typically takes ten to seventeen days under these conditions.
Space seedlings 2 to 3 inches apart once they emerge, thinning if necessary for optimal root development. Keep moisture consistent by watering an inch per week; dry soil causes forked roots. Apply a light mulch around the base to retain water and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it over the tops of young plants.
Watch for carrot fly, wireworms, flea beetles, and aphids, which can damage foliage or taproots. Prevent issues by using row covers early in the season and rotating crops annually. Harvest roots sixty-five to seventy-five days after sowing when they reach full size; pull them gently to avoid breaking the neck.
When to Plant Scarlet Nantes 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 Scarlet Nantes Carrot
✓ Good companions
Repels carrot flies and aphids with strong sulfur compounds
Deters carrot rust flies while carrots repel leek moths
Shallow roots don't compete, provides living mulch between carrot rows
Root secretions suppress nematodes that damage carrot roots
Break up soil for carrot growth and mature quickly before carrots need space
Strong aromatic oils mask carrot scent from carrot flies
Repels carrot flies and other root pests with pungent oils
Solanine in tomato roots may deter some soil pests affecting carrots
✗ Keep away from
Mature dill plants can stunt carrot growth and reduce yields
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit carrot germination and growth
Attract same pests like carrot flies and compete for similar soil nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
