Nantes Carrot
Daucus carota
Sweet, cylindrical roots that thrive in deep, stone-free beds.
Sun
Full sun to light shade
Water
2.5 cm / week
Soil
Loose, sandy loam, pH 6.0–6.8
Spacing
5–8 cm apart, rows 30 cm
Days to harvest
60–75 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–10
Seasonal Calendar
The method
- 1
Prepare the bed
Loosen soil to 30 cm and remove stones — obstructions cause forked, twisted roots.
- 2
Sow direct
Sow 5 mm deep in shallow drills. Mix seed with sand for even distribution. Keep surface moist for 14–21 days until germination.
- 3
Thin ruthlessly
When seedlings are 5 cm tall, thin to 5 cm apart. Snip with scissors — pulling disturbs neighbors.
- 4
Weed by hand
Carrots hate competition. Weed carefully so as not to disturb developing roots.
- 5
Harvest
Lift when shoulders show orange and reach 2–3 cm across. Water first to loosen soil.
Common problems
Carrot rust fly
Interplant with onions or chives; cover with fine insect mesh.
Forked roots
Sign of stones or fresh manure. Use compost, not raw manure.
Good neighbors
Field tips
- “Sow small amounts every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest through summer.”
- “Cool storage in damp sand keeps carrots crisp for months.”