Halifax Seed Carrots Nantes Scarlet Pkg.

Common Name: Nantes Scarlet Carrot

Scientific Name: Daucus carota

Life Cycle: Biennial, usually grown as an annual

Description Detail: A popular Nantes-type carrot producing crisp, cylindrical roots with a rich reddish-orange colour throughout and a small, inconspicuous core. The roots grow approximately 15 cm (6") long and 2.5 cm (1") wide and are well suited to home gardens.

Days to Germinate: 10-21 days

Bloom / Harvest: Approximately 68 days to maturity. Harvest when roots have reached their desired size. Carrots can be left in the ground into cool weather, where frost can enhance their sweetness.

Germination Needs: Sow seeds 0.5-1 cm (¼-½") deep in loose, well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge. Carrots germinate best when the soil remains evenly moist.

Lighting: Full sun

Watering Needs: Provide consistent moisture, especially during germination and root development. Avoid allowing the soil to dry out, as irregular watering can contribute to splitting or misshapen roots.

Starting Instructions: Direct sow outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked in spring. Sow approximately 30 seeds per foot and thin seedlings to 3-5 cm (1-2") apart once established. Carrots do not transplant well because of their taproots.

Care Instructions: Grow in deep, loose, fertile soil free of stones and large clumps. Keep the soil well cultivated and weed-free while plants are young. Cover exposed carrot shoulders with soil to prevent greening.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Garden Benefits: Provides a dependable crop of sweet, crisp carrots for fresh eating and cooking. The compact root size makes this variety particularly suitable for home vegetable gardens.

Special Notes: Halifax Seed lists Nantes Scarlet at 68 days to maturity. The roots are approximately 15 cm (6") long and 2.5 cm (1") wide, with a reddish-orange colour throughout. Halifax Seed offers this variety in packets of 25 g, 125 g and 500 g sizes, with an organic option also available.

Tips For Success: Prepare the soil deeply before sowing and remove stones that could cause forked roots. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination, thin seedlings promptly, and make successive sowings for an extended harvest.

Companion Plants: Beans, peas, lettuce, onions, leeks, radishes, chives, rosemary and sage.