Carrot Danver's

Danver's Carrots have excellent flavor and are easy to grow. They are a beautiful rich dark orange color and produce high-yields. A great choice for new gardeners. They are a cool-season crop and grow best in the cool temperatures that occur in early spring and late fall. This Danver's variety is hardy and the best choice for all types of soil, and not prone to splitting or cracking. The taste of these fresh carrots from the garden can not be beaten.

Carrot seeds can be planted directly into the garden soil.

Sow seed directly into the garden soil beginning in early spring. 

Plant seeds 2-3 weeks prior to the last frost date. Seeds can be planted every 3 weeks after that for a staggered harvest or in late summer for a fall harvest. Fall planting can occur 10 weeks before your average first frost date.

Build up a raised row of soil about 8" wide. Scatter the seeds in a line on top and then cover with 1/4” to 1/2" of soil. Keep the soil evenly moist. Carrot seeds will germinate over a wide range of 5-14 days depending on the soil temperature. Germination is slower in the cooler weather of spring, so be patient. They germinate better in temperatures around 70 to 80 degrees, but the roots themselves prefer cooler temperatures to develop. When seedlings are 3" tall, thin them to 1" apart. 

Keep carrots free of weeds. This is especially important when they are small because the weeds will take nutrients away from the carrots and will cause poor carrot development. Gently mulch carrots to deter weeds and block the sun from hitting the roots directly. 

Begin to harvest when the tops of the carrot roots are about 3/4" to 1" in diameter and starting to pop out of the soil. They will be vibrant orange in color and 8" long.

CARROTS

With some careful planning and attention, carrots are a snap to grow. These Vitamin A-rich veggies require a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, and high in phosphorus. They do best when planted from seed rather than transplants, and thinning is imperative to prevent twisted or crooked roots. Carrots grow very well in peat-based growing media; do not require a heavy amount of water, but perform well in consistently moist soils--which make them ideal for growing in the gardening system. You're more likely to find four-footed critters rather than buggy pests around this crop--deer, rabbits, and woodchucks can all destroy this delectable crop. Once harvested, carrots can be stored for more than a month in the refridgerator. Freezing and canning are also great ways to preserve this sweet harvest for a later consumption.

COMMON PESTS: Aphids, Flea Beetles, Leaf Hoppers, Carrot Rust Flies

SUSCEPTIBLE TO: Damping Off, Downy Mildew, Powdery mildew, Blight, Yellow Disease, Black Rot