Carrots

carrot tops

Carrots are a hardy, cool-season crop that grows in the spring or fall in Kansas. Carrots harvested in cooler weather will be tender and sweet. While we think of carrots as bright orange roots, they can actually be found in a variety of other colors like yellow, red, white, and purple. The roots grow best in loose or sandy soils, so long slender varieties are not well adapted to growing in our heavier, tighter soils. Carrots are classified by the shape and length of the root. In our area, I recommend the shorter varieties due to our clay soils. There are five primary types:

  • Imperator types are the main type of commercial carrots. They have long (8-10”), slender roots that have a tapered tip.
  • Chantenay short to mid-length (4.5-5.5”) with large tops and a conical shape. They are better for shallow, heavy soils than long, skinny Imperator types.
  • Danvers types are conical, thick carrots that can be up to 7 inches long.
  • Nantes types are cylindrical with a blunt tip, and 6 to 7 inches long. These carrots have excellent flavor and quality and are a favorite of home gardeners.
  • Miniature/Oxheart/Paris Market types have short, stocky roots that are only 2 to 3 inches long. These are good types for heavy, clay soils, or container gardening.

Plant 5-10 feet of row per person for fresh use and an additional 10-15 feet for storage, freezing, or canning. Expect about 1 lb. of roots per linear foot of planted row. Para información en español, visite este sitio web.