Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Paris Market Carrot in USDA Zone 7
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Paris Market Carrot · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | April – July | June – September |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – July | June – September |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – August | June – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | March – August | May – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – September | May – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | February – October | April – November |
| Zone 9 | — | — | January – November | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | October – March | December – May |
Complete Growing Guide
Paris Market carrots thrive in cooler weather, making them perfect for early spring planting. Start sowing seeds 2-3 weeks before your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F. In zones 3-6, begin planting in mid-March; zones 7-9 can start in late February. These compact carrots are forgiving of heavy clay soils that would stunt longer varieties, but they'll still perform best in loose, well-draining soil.
Prepare your planting area by working compost into the top 6 inches of soil. Unlike other root vegetables, Paris Market carrots don't require deep soil preparation since they only grow 2-3 inches long. Remove stones and debris, as even small obstacles can cause these round roots to fork or become misshapen.
Sow seeds directly in the garden—never start carrots indoors as they don't transplant well. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in rows 6 inches apart, or scatter them in wide beds. Since carrot seeds are tiny and slow to germinate, mix them with radish seeds as a natural row marker. The radishes will sprout first, showing you where your carrots are growing.
Carrot germination takes 14-21 days, so keep soil consistently moist during this period. Once seedlings emerge, thin them to 1-2 inches apart. Don't skip this step—overcrowded carrots compete for space and develop poorly. Thin when plants are 2 inches tall, choosing the strongest seedlings.
Fertilize lightly with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then side-dress with compost halfway through the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth at the expense of root development. These carrots prefer steady, even moisture—inconsistent watering can cause splitting.
Successive plant every 2-3 weeks through early summer for continuous harvests. In hot climates, stop planting 60 days before average summer temperatures exceed 85°F, then resume in late summer for fall crops. Paris Market carrots actually improve in flavor after light frosts.
Common mistakes include planting too deeply, overwatering established plants, and harvesting too early. These carrots reach full sweetness at maturity, typically when tops are 6-8 inches tall and roots feel firm when gently pressed.
Harvesting
Paris Market carrots are ready to harvest 50-60 days after sowing when they reach golf ball size—typically 1.5-2 inches in diameter. Unlike longer varieties, you can often see the shoulder of these round carrots at soil level, making harvest timing easier to judge. The shoulders should show bright orange color, and the foliage will be 6-8 inches tall at maturity.
To test readiness, gently brush away soil from around one carrot's shoulder. If it's orange and firm, your crop is ready. Harvest in the morning when plants are fully hydrated for maximum crispness. Loosen soil around each carrot with a hand fork, then grasp the foliage close to the crown and pull straight up with a gentle twisting motion. Their compact size makes them easier to harvest than longer varieties—they rarely break off in the ground.
Harvest the entire crop within a week of maturity for best quality, as these small carrots can quickly become woody. In zones 6 and cooler, you can leave them in the ground until hard frost, which actually improves their sweetness.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Paris Market carrots store best in the refrigerator with tops removed, leaving ½ inch of stem to prevent bleeding. Store in perforated plastic bags in the crisper drawer where they'll maintain quality for 3-4 weeks. Their compact size means they lose moisture faster than larger carrots, so use them within a month.
For longer storage, these carrots excel at preservation due to their tender texture. Blanch whole carrots for 3 minutes before freezing—their small size means they freeze and thaw more evenly than larger varieties. They're perfect for pickling whole, maintaining their shape beautifully in brine. Their sweet flavor also makes them excellent for dehydrating into carrot chips or grinding into powder for seasoning. Root cellaring works well in consistently cool (32-35°F), humid conditions for up to 3 months.
History & Origin
Paris Market carrots originated in 19th century France, specifically developed for the space-conscious market gardeners around Paris who grew vegetables in small urban plots and cold frames. This variety was bred to maximize yield in minimal space while tolerating the heavy clay soils common in the Seine river valley.
French seed catalogs first listed 'Carotte de Paris' in the 1860s, though the variety likely existed earlier in Parisian market gardens. The compact, round shape was intentionally developed for forcing in cold frames during winter months, allowing French gardeners to provide fresh carrots year-round to Parisian markets.
This heirloom variety gained popularity in America during the late 1800s when French immigrants brought seeds to establish market gardens near major cities. The variety proved especially valuable in New England where rocky soils made growing traditional long carrots difficult. Today, Paris Market remains prized by small-space gardeners and those seeking authentic French heirloom varieties for gourmet cooking.
Advantages
- +Exceptional performance in heavy clay soils where long carrots fail or fork
- +Perfect portion size for individual servings and gourmet presentations
- +Extremely container-friendly, growing well in pots as shallow as 6 inches
- +Superior crack resistance compared to longer varieties during heavy rain
- +Quick maturity at 50-60 days allows multiple crops per season
- +Naturally sweet flavor that intensifies after light frost exposure
- +Easy harvest with minimal root breakage due to compact size
Considerations
- -Lower overall yield per square foot compared to longer carrot varieties
- -Small size means faster moisture loss and shorter fresh storage life
- -Can become woody quickly if left in ground past maturity
- -Seeds are expensive compared to standard carrot varieties due to specialty status
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Chives
Repels carrot flies and aphids while improving soil health
Rosemary
Strong scent deters carrot flies and other root pests
Leeks
Repels carrot flies through scent masking and attracts beneficial insects
Lettuce
Shallow roots don't compete, provides ground cover to retain moisture
Tomatoes
Help break up soil for carrot root development and provide pest confusion
Marigolds
Root secretions repel nematodes and other soil-dwelling pests
Radishes
Break up compacted soil ahead of carrots and can be harvested early
Sage
Aromatic oils deter carrot flies and other flying pests
Keep Apart
Dill
Can stunt carrot growth when planted too close and may cross-pollinate
Parsnips
Compete for same soil nutrients and space, attract similar pests
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic compounds
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to splitting and cracking
Common Pests
Carrot fly, aphids, wireworms
Diseases
Leaf blight, black rot, cavity spot