HybridContainer OK

Mokum Carrot

Daucus carota var. sativus

Top-rated for flavor among our early varieties. Attractive slender roots are great for early bunches. A bit earlier than Yaya, more slender, the same length (5 1/2-6 1/2") and color, and with similar high sugar and brittle tenderness. Holds sweet taste even in warm weather. Short tops. Widely adapted. Amsterdam type. Also available with NOP-compliant pelleting.

Harvest

50-60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Mokum Carrot in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Mokum Carrot · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing2 inches

SoilDeep, loose, well-drained sandy loam

pH6.0-6.8

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorExceptionally sweet and crisp with fine texture and no woody core

ColorBright orange throughout

Size5 1/2-6 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	June – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	May – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	April – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	March – 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 green tops immediately after harvest, leaving ¼ inch of stem to prevent bleeding. Brush off soil but don't wash until ready to use. Store unwashed Mokum carrots in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity — they'll keep 2-3 months this way, maintaining their exceptional crispness.

For longer storage, layer roots in damp sand or peat moss in a cool (32-40°F) basement or root cellar. They'll stay perfect for 4-6 months. Mokum's dense flesh makes it excellent for freezing — blanch whole small carrots for 5 minutes or cut larger ones and blanch 3 minutes before freezing. The variety's high sugar content also makes it perfect for dehydrating into sweet carrot chips or fermenting into carrot kraut. Avoid canning whole carrots as Mokum's tender texture becomes mushy, though they're excellent in mixed vegetable preserves.

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 flies and aphids with strong sulfur compounds

Lettuce

Shallow roots don't compete, provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Tomatoes

Help deter carrot flies while carrots may improve tomato flavor

Rosemary

Strong aromatic oils confuse and repel carrot flies and other pests

Radishes

Break up soil for carrot growth and mature quickly as intercrop

Sage

Repels carrot flies and cabbage moths with aromatic compounds

Onions

Sulfur compounds strongly repel carrot flies and root maggots

Marigolds

Release compounds that deter nematodes and various soil pests

Keep Apart

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects when young but can stunt carrot growth when mature

Parsnips

Compete for same soil nutrients and space, attract similar pests

Coriander

May inhibit carrot germination and early growth through allelopathic effects

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

Excellent resistance to alternaria leaf blight and cavity spot

Common Pests

Carrot fly, aphids, flea beetles, wireworms

Diseases

Alternaria leaf blight, cercospora leaf spot, bacterial soft rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Mokum carrot take to grow from seed?▼

Mokum carrots mature in 50-60 days from sowing to harvest. You can begin harvesting baby carrots at 45 days for tender, sweet roots, but peak flavor and size develop at 55-60 days. This early maturity makes Mokum excellent for succession planting every 2-3 weeks through summer for continuous harvests.

Can you grow Mokum carrots in containers?▼

Yes, Mokum grows excellently in containers due to its compact 4-6 inch root length. Use containers at least 10 inches deep and 8 inches wide with drainage holes. Fill with loose, sandy potting mix and sow seeds ¼ inch deep. Container growing actually gives you perfect soil control, often producing more uniform roots than garden beds.

What does Mokum carrot taste like compared to store carrots?▼

Mokum carrots are dramatically sweeter and more flavorful than typical grocery store carrots, with a crisp, juicy texture and fine grain. They lack the woody core and bitter aftertaste common in commercial varieties. The sweetness intensifies in cool weather, making fall-harvested Mokum carrots almost candy-like in their intensity.

Is Mokum carrot good for beginners?▼

Mokum is excellent for beginners who prepare the soil properly. The variety is forgiving with reliable germination, good disease resistance, and fast maturity. The main requirement is loose, deep soil — if you can provide that, Mokum is actually easier to grow successfully than many standard carrot varieties.

When should I plant Mokum carrots for fall harvest?▼

Plant Mokum carrots 10-12 weeks before your first expected fall frost for optimal fall harvest. In most areas, this means sowing in mid to late July. Fall-grown Mokum carrots develop superior sweetness as cool temperatures concentrate sugars, and they can withstand light frosts in the ground.

Mokum vs Scarlet Nantes carrot - what's the difference?▼

Mokum is a premium hybrid with superior sweetness, disease resistance, and uniformity compared to open-pollinated Scarlet Nantes. Mokum matures 10 days earlier, has smoother skin, and maintains better eating quality when mature. However, Scarlet Nantes produces saveable seeds and costs less, while Mokum requires purchasing new hybrid seeds annually.