Scarlet Nantes Carrot is a beloved heirloom variety prized for its exceptional sweetness, vibrant orange-red color, and smooth cylindrical roots. A member of the Apiaceae family, which includes celery and parsley, this classic carrot has remained a favorite among gardeners for generations due to its dependable performance, crisp texture, and outstanding flavor.
The attractive roots typically grow 6 to 7 inches long with a blunt tip and are known for being nearly coreless, providing a tender, uniform texture throughout. Their naturally sweet flavor makes them excellent for fresh eating, salads, roasting, soups, stews, juicing, and countless culinary applications. The crisp flesh and rich flavor have made Scarlet Nantes one of the most popular carrot varieties for both home gardens and market production.
Scarlet Nantes Carrots thrive in loose, well-drained sandy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Direct sowing is recommended since transplanting can damage the developing roots. Consistent moisture is important throughout the growing season, though excessive watering should be avoided to prevent root issues. Regular thinning allows each carrot sufficient space to develop smooth, uniform roots.
Sweet, productive, and exceptionally versatile, Scarlet Nantes Carrot remains one of the finest heirloom carrot varieties for gardeners seeking beautiful roots, excellent storage qualities, and outstanding fresh flavor.
Scarlet Nantes Carrot Seed Details
- Quantity: 225 Seeds
- Plant Type: Heirloom Carrot
- Family: Apiaceae
- Root Appearance: Bright Orange-Red, Cylindrical, Nearly Coreless
- Root Length: 6-7 Inches
- Flavor: Sweet and Crisp
- Best Uses: Fresh Eating, Salads, Soups, Stews, Roasting, Juicing
- Seed Planting Depth: 1/8-1/4 Inch
- Germination Temperature: 55-70°F
- Days to Germination: 10-15 Days
- Row Spacing: 4 Inches
- Plant Spacing: 2 Inches
- 100' Row Yield: 95 Pounds
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun
- Harvest Time: Approximately 72 Days
- Special Features: Nearly Coreless, Excellent Storage, Sweet Flavor
How to Save Seeds
Carrots will readily cross-pollinate with other carrot varieties as well as Queen Anne's Lace, a wild relative commonly found in many regions. To maintain seed purity, separate seed crops by at least one-quarter mile from both cultivated carrots and any nearby Queen Anne's Lace populations.
Carrots are biennial plants and must overwinter before producing seed. Protect roots through winter by applying a generous layer of mulch over the planting area.
During the second growing season, plants will send up flowering stalks that develop umbrella-shaped flower clusters known as umbels.
Allow the umbels to fully mature, dry, and ripen on the plants before harvesting. Once dry, collect the seeds and store them in a cool dry location for future planting.