About
An annual, deciduous vegetable to around 30cm in height, and the darkest coloured variety available. It produces long, tapering black-purple roots which retain their colour even when cooked, with a crunchy texture and earthy flavour. Perfect steamed, raw in salads or even as an ingredient for a healthy, dark purple smoothie. Sow end of March to June, harvest August to November.
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
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a deep, fertile, well drained soil in full sun; do not sow in soil that has been manured within the previous year. For more advice see carrots cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to carrot root fly and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to root rot, Sclerotina diseases and powdery mildews