Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Scarlet Nantes Carrot in USDA Zone 7
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Scarlet Nantes Carrot · Zones 3–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | April – July | July – September |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – July | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – August | June – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | March – August | June – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – September | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | February – October | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – November | April – January |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – December | March – February |
Complete Growing Guide
You'll get the best Scarlet Nantes carrots by starting with proper soil preparation in fall or early spring. Work your soil to at least 8 inches deep, removing every rock, stick, and clump you find—any obstruction will cause forked or twisted roots. Mix in 2-3 inches of compost and coarse sand if your soil is heavy clay. The ideal pH is 6.0-6.8, so add lime if your soil runs acidic.
Skip starting seeds indoors entirely—carrots hate transplanting and you'll get stunted, deformed roots. Direct sow 2-3 weeks before your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F. In hot climates (zones 9-10), sow in fall for winter harvest. Create shallow furrows ¼ inch deep and sow seeds thickly since carrot germination is notoriously spotty. Cover with fine compost or vermiculite rather than soil, which can crust over and prevent germination.
Keep soil consistently moist during the 10-14 day germination period—use a spray nozzle to avoid washing seeds away. Once seedlings emerge, thin ruthlessly when they're 2 inches tall, leaving the strongest plants 1-2 inches apart. Yes, it feels wasteful, but overcrowded carrots never develop properly.
Fertilize lightly at planting with a balanced 10-10-10, then avoid nitrogen-heavy feeds which promote leafy tops at the expense of root development. Side-dress with compost or low-nitrogen fertilizer once when plants are 4 inches tall. Water deeply once or twice weekly rather than frequent shallow watering—inconsistent moisture causes cracking and splitting.
Avoid the common mistake of hilling soil around the shoulders as carrots grow. Instead, mulch with straw or grass clippings to prevent the tops from turning green and bitter from sun exposure. In zones 7 and warmer, succession plant every 2-3 weeks through late summer for continuous harvest into winter.
Harvesting
Scarlet Nantes carrots are ready 65-75 days from sowing, but don't rely solely on calendar dates. Check shoulder width at soil level—mature carrots should be ¾ to 1 inch across at the crown. The shoulders may push slightly above soil level and show bright orange color. For the sweetest flavor, wait until after the first light frost, which converts starches to sugars.
Harvest in morning when soil moisture is optimal—not bone dry or waterlogged. Loosen soil around each carrot with a garden fork inserted 6 inches away, then grasp the greens close to the crown and pull straight up with a gentle twisting motion. If greens break off, carefully dig around the carrot with your hands. Brush off soil but don't wash until ready to use. Scarlet Nantes can stay in ground well into winter in zones 7-9 if mulched heavily, actually improving in sweetness with cold exposure.
Storage & Preservation
Remove green tops immediately after harvest, leaving ½ inch of stem to prevent bleeding. Store unwashed carrots in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity. Properly stored Scarlet Nantes keep 2-4 months, far longer than most carrot varieties.
For preservation, blanch 2-inch pieces in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months. Their naturally high sugar content makes them excellent for dehydrating—slice thin and dry at 125°F for 6-8 hours until leathery. Scarlet Nantes also pressure can beautifully, maintaining texture better than many varieties. The tender, coreless flesh makes exceptional purees for baby food or soups that freeze well for up to one year.
History & Origin
Scarlet Nantes traces its lineage to the Loire Valley region around Nantes, France, where it was developed in the mid-1800s from local landrace varieties. French market gardeners selected for the variety's distinctive cylindrical shape, smooth skin, and nearly coreless interior—qualities that made it ideal for the demanding Parisian fresh markets.
The variety gained international recognition after being introduced to American gardens in the early 1900s, quickly becoming the benchmark against which all other carrots were measured. Its name reflects both its vibrant color ('Scarlet') and geographical origin. Unlike many modern hybrid carrots bred primarily for shipping and storage, Scarlet Nantes was developed purely for eating quality.
This heirloom became so synonymous with carrot perfection that plant breeders still use it as a parent in developing new varieties. Many seed companies offer slightly different strains—some selected for uniformity, others for cold tolerance—but all trace back to those original French selections. Today, it remains virtually unchanged from the carrots grown in 19th-century French kitchen gardens.
Advantages
- +Virtually coreless interior makes preparation effortless—no woody center to remove
- +Exceptional sweetness that intensifies with cold weather exposure
- +Smooth, thin skin requires minimal peeling or none at all
- +Reliable performer across diverse climates from zones 3-10
- +Superior storage life compared to most carrot varieties—keeps 3-4 months refrigerated
- +Uniform 6-7 inch length perfect for standard kitchen prep and canning jars
- +Tender texture ideal for fresh eating while still excellent when cooked
Considerations
- -Slower germination than hybrid varieties—often takes 14+ days in cool soil
- -Requires deep, perfectly prepared soil or roots will fork and twist
- -Lower disease resistance than modern hybrids, particularly to leaf blight
- -Green shoulders develop quickly if not properly mulched
- -Seeds have shorter viability than hybrids—use fresh seed for best results
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Chives
Repels carrot flies and aphids with strong sulfur compounds
Leeks
Deters carrot rust flies while carrots repel leek moths
Rosemary
Strong aromatic oils mask carrot scent from carrot flies
Sage
Repels carrot flies and other root pests with pungent oils
Lettuce
Shallow roots don't compete, provides living mulch between carrot rows
Tomatoes
Solanine in tomato roots may deter some soil pests affecting carrots
Radishes
Break up soil for carrot growth and mature quickly before carrots need space
Marigolds
Root secretions suppress nematodes that damage carrot roots
Keep Apart
Dill
Mature dill plants can stunt carrot growth and reduce yields
Parsnips
Attract same pests like carrot flies and compete for similar soil nutrients
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit carrot germination and growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease resistance, moderate carrot fly tolerance
Common Pests
Carrot fly, wireworms, flea beetles, aphids
Diseases
Leaf blight, black rot, cavity spot, carrot rust fly damage