Different Types of Carrots
This chart expands on "All About Growing Carrots", discussing the different types and varieties of carrots and explaining how and where to grow them.
| TYPE | DESCRIPTION | CULTURAL TIPS | VARIETIES |
Nantes 55 to 70 days (spring) 6- to 75 days (fall) | Easy and widely adapted; straight, cylindrical roots 5 to 7 inches long; sweet flavor and crisp texture; limited storage potential. | Grow in loose, sandy soil or in raised beds enriched with plenty of organic matter, but no fresh manure. | ‘Early Nantes’ ‘Nelson’ ‘Mokum’ |
Chantenay 55 to 70 days (spring) 70 to 110 days (fall) | Conical roots with broad shoulders and rounded tips; rich, sweet flavor and good storage potential. | Excellent type to grow from summer to fall, and not as picky about soil as other types. Usually sizes up well in clay soils with high organic matter content. | ‘Red Core’ ‘Kuttiger’ ‘Kurota’ |
| Miniature/Baby 50 to 60 days (spring) 60 to 70 days (fall) | Round, cylindrical or tapered roots less than 5 inches long; crisp texture and frequently quite sweet when mature; limited storage potential. | Grows in any fertile soil that drains well. Makes good “marker” plants to separate sowings of salad greens. | ‘Thumbelina’ ‘Little Finger’ ‘Parmex’ |
Imperator 55 to 100 day (spring) 80 to 110 days (fall) | Long, tapered roots with stocky shoulders and strong tops; slightly fibrous texture. Stores well. | Roots size up best in deep, sandy loam. When pleased with their site, roots can become quite large. | ‘Yellowstone’ ‘Purple Haze’ ‘Sugarsnax’ |
| Danvers 70 to 80 days (spring) 80 to 110 days (fall) | Thick-rooted cylindrical shape, often with yellowish core; widely used in processing, good for juicing. Stores well. | Grow in raised beds or in deep, sandy loam. Good main crop type for cool climates. | ‘Danvers’ ‘Healthmaster’ ‘Danvers Half Long’ |
