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
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
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | — | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | — | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 11 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 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 |
Succession Planting
Direct sow Imperator 58 every 14-21 days starting when soil temps hit 50°F — in most of zone 7 that's around March 1 — and keep going through early May. Stop seeding for summer once daytime highs are consistently above 80°F; germination gets erratic and roots can turn pithy. Pick back up with a fall succession starting around August 15 in zone 7, giving the roots time to size up before hard frost. Carrots sweeten noticeably after a light frost, so a September direct sow aimed at a November pull is one of the better plantings of the year.
At 70-75 days to harvest, you can stagger three or four sowings across a spring window without much overlap. Keep the bed consistently moist — 1 inch per week — during that 14-21 day germination stretch, because Imperator 58 seed is slow to sprout and will quit on you in dry soil.
Complete Growing Guide
Imperator 58 thrives in loose, well-draining soil free of rocks and clay, which is critical for developing the characteristic long, straight tapers that define this cultivar—compacted or obstructed soil produces forked or stunted roots. Sow seeds directly in spring or mid-summer for fall harvest, aiming for soil temperatures between 50–85°F; germination is slow (14–21 days), so keep the seedbed consistently moist during this window. This variety shows strong resistance to splitting and crack-prone conditions common in other long-rooted types, but remains susceptible to carrot rust fly and root-knot nematodes in infested soils. Thin seedlings to 2–3 inches apart early to prevent crowding, which stunts individual root development and increases disease pressure. A practical trick: lay shadecloth over the seeded area to maintain moisture and cool temperatures during germination, then remove it once sprouts emerge; this dramatically improves germination rates compared to bare soil sowing.
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
Imperator 58 carrots reach peak harvest when shoulders develop a deep orange hue and roots measure approximately 7-8 inches long with a diameter of about three-quarters of an inch at the crown. Gently brush away soil to assess size without pulling prematurely, as these cultivars continue sweetening as they mature. You can harvest continuously by selecting mature roots while leaving smaller neighbors to develop, or wait 70-75 days for simultaneous single harvest of the entire bed. For optimal sweetness, harvest in late afternoon after the plant has processed sugars throughout the day, and handle gently to preserve the crisp texture that defines this classic variety.
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.
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
The Imperator carrot lineage emerged in the early twentieth century as American seed companies and breeders sought to develop longer, more uniform roots suited to mechanical harvesting and commercial markets. The original Imperator variety was introduced in the 1930s and quickly became the industry standard for fresh-market carrots. Imperator 58 represents a refined selection within this established breeding line, developed to enhance disease resistance and root uniformity while maintaining the sweetness and crispness that made its predecessors popular. While specific breeder attribution for the 58 designation is not well documented in readily available sources, the variety reflects decades of selection within major American seed companies focused on creating the archetypal carrot that would define consumer expectations throughout the latter half of the twentieth century.
Origin: Europe, Eastern Asia and northern Africa
Advantages
- +Classic long tapered shape delivers the iconic carrot appearance consumers expect
- +Exceptional sweetness and crisp texture make it excellent for fresh eating
- +Produces uniform, beautiful roots consistently even in less-than-ideal growing conditions
- +Reliable performer with easy cultivation suitable for beginner gardeners
- +70-75 day maturity offers reasonably quick harvest compared to many varieties
Considerations
- -Vulnerable to carrot rust fly infestations which can significantly damage roots
- -Susceptible to alternaria leaf blight and cavity spot diseases in humid climates
- -Requires well-draining, loose soil to develop proper long tapered shape successfully
Companion Plants
Chives and rosemary are the companions worth planting close. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are thought to confuse carrot rust fly (Psila rosae) through scent — plant them at the row ends or interplanted every 6 inches or so. Rosemary works on the same principle, a strong aromatic that disrupts how the fly locates its host. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) pull double duty: their root exudates can suppress some soil nematodes, and they draw in predatory insects that go after flea beetles. Lettuce is a practical neighbor — shallow roots, no competition with carrots pushing 8-10 inches down, and it fills dead space without pulling from the same water column.
Dill is the one to keep at the other end of the garden. Once it flowers, dill (Anethum graveolens) can cross-pollinate with carrots — both are Apiaceae — and wreck seed quality if you're saving any. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) carries the same risk for the same reason. And parsnips share enough disease pressure with carrots, including Alternaria leaf blight, that putting them side by side just concentrates two crops' worth of trouble in one bed.
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
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
Troubleshooting Imperator 58 Carrot
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Seedlings collapse at soil level — stems look pinched or shrunken and black, sometimes a fuzzy mold on the soil surface
Likely Causes
- Damping off — a complex of soil-borne fungi (Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium) that hits seedlings fast, often overnight
- Overwatering or poorly drained soil keeping the root zone constantly wet
What to Do
- 1.Pull and trash the affected seedlings; don't compost them
- 2.Let the top inch of soil dry slightly between waterings — carrots don't need to stay soggy to germinate
- 3.If you're direct-sowing in a cold, wet spring, wait until soil temps hit at least 50°F before seeding
Roots are stunted, forked, or riddled with small tunnels when you pull them at day 70-75
Likely Causes
- Wireworms (larvae of click beetles, Agriotes spp.) — they bore into the root directly
- Rocky or compacted soil forcing roots to split around obstructions
- Carrot rust fly (Psila rosae) larvae tunneling in from the shoulder down
What to Do
- 1.Before next planting, work the bed 10-12 inches deep and remove rocks, clods, and debris — Imperator 58 needs that depth for its long roots to run straight
- 2.Rotate carrots out of the same bed for at least 3-4 years, per NC State Extension's IPM rotation guidelines, to cut down wireworm and carrot rust fly populations that overwinter in the soil
- 3.Cover newly seeded rows with floating row cover immediately after sowing to block carrot rust fly adults from laying eggs at the soil surface
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Imperator 58 carrot take to grow?▼
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Is Imperator 58 good for beginners?▼
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When should I plant Imperator 58 carrot seeds?▼
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Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.