Danvers Half Long Carrot
Daucus carota 'Danvers Half Long'
A classic American heirloom carrot that has been a garden favorite since the 1870s. This reliable variety produces deep orange, broad-shouldered roots that taper to a blunt point, making them perfect for heavy or clay soils where longer carrots struggle. Known for exceptional sweetness and crisp texture that improves with cool weather.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Danvers Half Long Carrot in USDA Zone 7
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Danvers Half Long 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 | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | March – 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 greens immediately after harvest, leaving ½ inch of stem to prevent moisture loss. Brush off soil but don't wash until ready to use. Store unwashed carrots in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer, where they'll maintain quality for 2-3 months.
For root cellar storage, layer carrots in slightly damp sand or peat moss at 32-40°F with high humidity. Properly stored Danvers Half Long can last 4-6 months this way.
For preservation, blanch 2-inch pieces for 3 minutes before freezing - their dense texture holds up well to freezing. These carrots are excellent for pressure canning as part of vegetable medleys or soups. Dehydrate thin slices at 125°F for 8-12 hours to make carrot chips, or ferment grated carrots with salt and spices for a probiotic-rich condiment that keeps for months refrigerated.
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 rust flies and aphids with their strong sulfur compounds
Leeks
Natural pest deterrent that confuses carrot fly with contrasting scent
Rosemary
Strong aromatic oils repel carrot flies and other root-damaging insects
Sage
Deters carrot rust flies and cabbage moths while attracting beneficial insects
Lettuce
Shallow roots don't compete, provides living mulch and efficient space usage
Radishes
Break up soil for carrot growth and mature quickly without long-term competition
Marigolds
Root secretions reduce nematode populations and repel various garden pests
Tomatoes
Improve carrot flavor and growth while carrots help break up soil for tomato roots
Keep Apart
Dill
Attracts carrot rust flies when flowering and can stunt carrot growth
Parsnips
Competes for same nutrients and attracts same pests, increasing disease pressure
Coriander
Can inhibit carrot germination and early growth through allelopathic effects
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to cracking and splitting
Common Pests
Carrot rust fly, aphids, wireworms
Diseases
Alternaria leaf blight, bacterial soft rot, cavity spot