Heirloom

Imperator 58 Carrot

Daucus carota 'Imperator 58'

The classic grocery store carrot that defined what most people expect from this beloved vegetable. These long, tapered carrots offer exceptional sweetness and crisp texture, making them perfect for both fresh eating and cooking. A reliable performer that produces uniform, beautiful roots even in challenging conditions.

Harvest

70-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Imperator 58 Carrot in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

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Imperator 58 Carrot · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing2-3 inches

SoilDeep, loose, sandy loam free of rocks and debris

pH6.0-6.8

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season

FlavorSweet, crisp, classic carrot flavor

ColorDeep orange

Size8-10 inches long, 1-1.5 inches wide

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

Fresh Imperator 58 carrots store exceptionally well—it's bred as a storage variety. Remove tops immediately (leaving 1/2 inch), brush off soil but don't wash. Store in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-40°F with high humidity. They'll keep 4-6 months this way.

For root cellaring, layer unwashed carrots in damp sand or peat moss in a cool (32-35°F), humid location. Check monthly and remove any showing soft spots.

Blanch 1/4-inch slices for 2 minutes before freezing for best texture. For canning, cut into chunks and pressure can for 25 minutes. These carrots also ferment beautifully—try lacto-fermented carrot sticks with dill and garlic for a probiotic-rich snack that keeps for months.

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 fly and aphids with their strong scent

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and carrot rust flies while attracting beneficial insects

Lettuce

Shallow roots don't compete, helps shade soil and retain moisture

Rosemary

Strong aromatic oils repel carrot fly and other pests

Leeks

Confuses carrot fly with different scent, mutual pest protection

Tomatoes

Carrots help break up soil for tomato roots, tomatoes provide shade

Sage

Repels carrot rust fly and cabbage moths with aromatic compounds

Radishes

Break up compacted soil ahead of carrots, quick harvest frees space

Keep Apart

Dill

Can stunt carrot growth and reduce yields when planted too close

Parsnips

Compete for same nutrients and attract similar pests like carrot fly

Coriander

May inhibit carrot seed germination and early growth

Nutrition Facts

Calories

41kcal(2%)

Protein

0.93g(2%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

9.58g(3%)

Fat

0.24g(0%)

Vitamin C

5.9mg(7%)

Vitamin A

835mcg(93%)

Vitamin K

13.2mcg(11%)

Iron

0.3mg(2%)

Calcium

33mg(3%)

Potassium

320mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to leaf blight and cavity spot

Common Pests

Carrot rust fly, wireworms, flea beetles

Diseases

Alternaria leaf blight, bacterial soft rot, cavity spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Imperator 58 carrot take to grow?▼

Imperator 58 carrots mature in 70-75 days from sowing. However, you can harvest baby carrots as early as 50-60 days. The full-size roots develop their characteristic 8-10 inch length and peak sweetness by day 75. In fall plantings, leaving them in the ground after maturity actually improves flavor as cold weather converts starches to sugars.

Can you grow Imperator 58 carrots in containers?▼

Yes, but you need deep containers—at least 12-14 inches deep to accommodate the long taproot. Use wide containers (minimum 12 inches across) and space plants 2-3 inches apart. Choose a well-draining potting mix without large bark chunks that could cause forking. Container-grown carrots may be slightly shorter but will have the same sweet flavor.

Is Imperator 58 good for beginners?▼

Imperator 58 is moderately beginner-friendly. The main challenge is proper soil preparation—the deep, loose soil requirement is non-negotiable. However, once planted, it's quite forgiving and disease-resistant. Beginners should focus on thorough soil prep, consistent watering, and patient thinning for best results. The reliable performance makes early successes likely.

What does Imperator 58 carrot taste like?▼

Imperator 58 delivers the classic carrot flavor most people expect—sweet, crisp, and clean-tasting without any bitterness. The sweetness intensifies after exposure to frost. The texture is firm and crunchy raw, becoming tender when cooked while holding its shape well. It's less earthy than some heirloom varieties, making it perfect for both kids and adults.

When should I plant Imperator 58 carrot seeds?▼

Plant 2-3 weeks before your last spring frost when soil temperature reaches 45°F. For continuous harvest, succession plant every 2-3 weeks through mid-summer. In zones 7-9, focus on fall planting 10-12 weeks before first frost for winter harvest. Fall-grown carrots often taste sweeter due to cold weather sugar conversion.

Imperator 58 vs Nantes carrots - what's the difference?▼

Imperator 58 produces longer carrots (8-10 inches vs 6-7 inches), has a more tapered shape, and stores much longer. Nantes varieties are sweeter when young and have more tender cores, making them better for fresh eating. Imperator 58 excels in cooking applications and winter storage, while Nantes are preferred for immediate consumption and container growing.