Bolero Carrot
Daucus carota var. sativus
Medium-long 7-8" roots are uniform, thick, slightly tapered, and blunt. Excellent eating quality both fresh and after long-term storage, with juicy texture and sweet, complex flavor. A great choice for fall and winter harvest. Tops are vigorous, fast, and healthy which makes for better field-holding ability and easier mechanical harvesting. Heavy Nantes type. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.
Harvest
75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Bolero Carrot in USDA Zone 7
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Bolero Carrot · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed.
Harvesting
Small, dry, and ribbed with bristly hairs. The compound umbel of fruits folds inward to form a roundish shape that can be blown by the wind and roll across the ground dropping seeds.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds are edible. The young fleshy roots can be cooked or eaten raw, the flower clusters can be french-fried to produce a carrot-flavored dish, the aromatic seed is used as a flavoring in stews, etc. The dried roasted roots are ground into a powder and are used for making coffee.
Storage & Preservation
Remove carrot tops immediately after harvest, leaving ¼ inch of stem to prevent moisture loss. Brush off soil but don't wash until ready to use - the natural soil coating helps preserve freshness.
Store unwashed Bolero carrots in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer at 32-40°F with high humidity. Properly stored roots maintain peak quality for 4-6 months, making Bolero exceptional for winter storage.
For long-term preservation, blanch whole small carrots or cut larger ones into coins, then freeze in portions for up to 12 months. Bolero's dense flesh and high sugar content make it excellent for pressure canning as pickled carrots or in mixed vegetable combinations. The variety also dehydrates well - slice thin and dry at 125°F for 8-12 hours to create sweet carrot chips that store for years in airtight containers.
History & Origin
Origin: Europe, Eastern Asia and northern Africa
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators
- +Edible: Leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds are edible. The young fleshy roots can be cooked or eaten raw, the flower clusters can be french-fried to produce a carrot-flavored dish, the aromatic seed is used as a flavoring in stews, etc. The dried roasted roots are ground into a powder and are used for making coffee.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Sap/Juice): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Chives
Repels carrot fly and aphids with strong sulfur compounds
Leeks
Deters carrot fly and other root pests through aromatic compounds
Rosemary
Strong scent masks carrot aroma from carrot fly, repels various pests
Sage
Repels carrot fly and cabbage moths with aromatic oils
Lettuce
Shallow roots don't compete, provides ground cover and weed suppression
Tomatoes
Different root depths minimize competition, tomatoes may deter carrot fly
Radishes
Break up soil for carrot growth, mature quickly before carrots need space
Marigolds
Root secretions reduce nematode populations harmful to carrots
Keep Apart
Dill
Can stunt carrot growth and reduce yields when planted too close
Parsnips
Compete for same soil nutrients and space, attract similar pests
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit carrot germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Alternaria Blight (High); Bacterial Blight (Intermediate); Cavity Spot (Intermediate); Cercospora Blight (Intermediate); Powdery Mildew (High)
Common Pests
Carrot rust fly, aphids, wireworms
Diseases
Generally disease resistant, occasional bacterial soft rot