Carrot

Who knew you could have so much fun with carrots? You can always grow the traditional, large, orange-rooted types, but also have fun with the many different carrot now available for gardeners to grow from seed.

Classic orange-rooted carrots have been joined by new varieties in a rainbow of colors ranging from red to white, yellow, and purple. They also come in a variety of shapes, including small, almost round ones, very large ones, and more cylindrical ones.

Carrots are loaded with Vitamin A and beta-carotene, both known as antioxidants and cancer fighters. Use carrots raw in salads, exploring their uses in Indian salads. The juice from carrots is the health buff's staple. And they are, of course, fabulous in soups and stews or as a side dish. Cooking carrots makes the calcium in them more available, another nutritional bonus.

Light:

Sun, Part Sun

Plant Type:

Vegetable

Plant Height:

6-15 inches tall

Plant Width:

6-15 inches wide

Top Varieties

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'Danvers 126' carrot

is a heat-resistant variety with tapered, thin roots 7 to 8 inches long. 75 days
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'Imperator 58' carrot

bears sweet, tender roots that grow best in loose soils where they can grow to 9 inches long. 70 days
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'Kuroda' carrot

produces large yields. It is good for juicing and storage. 73 days
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'Purple Haze' carrot

offers purple skins and can grow to 12 inches long in sandy soils. It has an orange core, and its color fades with cooking. 70 days
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'Red Cored Chantenay' carrot

is an heirloom variety with deep orange color from skin to core. It has wide shoulders that taper to a point. 65 days
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'Thumbelina' carrot

is good for growing in heavy soils. Its 2-inch long roots are good for baking. 60 days
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