About
An appealing, richly orange-coloured maincrop carrot which has stood the test of time and is an allotment favourite for its reliability and excellent flavour. The roots are long, tapering and sturdy, and store well: they can be left in the ground through winter or lifted and packed into boxes of damp sand, where they'll stay good as new for months. Sow April to June, harvest from August.
About the genus
Daucus are more commonly known as wild carrot, a group of herbaceous, biennial (although not always) plants which can reach a height of between 30 to 60cm. The triangular shaped leaves are tripinnate, divided and lacy and flowers begin in pink buds, opening into small and white clustered together in dense umbels. The fruit is small, hairy and lumpy.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an open, sunny position with deeply cultivated, well-drained soil; heavy clay or stony soils may cause carrots to fork so it is best to make sure you have removed as many stones as possible and for clay soils add plenty of organic matter, such as well rotted manure. To reduce chances of harvesting forked carrots in clay soil choose a short-rooted cultivar. Keep seeds well-watered until your seedlings have emerged. You can also sow seeds in containers, especially if you select a cultivar with a shorter root. Best harvested as a maincrop from August until December. For more advice, see carrots cultivation.
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceRoots may be susceptible to carrot fly larvae, wireworm, slugs and rodents; foliage may be susceptible to aphids. A barrier of fine insect mesh at least 60cm high around the beds can help prevent carrot fly laying eggs.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free although may be susceptible to carrot leaf blight in wet conditions during the growing season.