Scarlet Nantes Carrot, 1850's heirloom, Organic Available

The story of the Nantes carrot is rooted in 19th-century European market gardening.

• The 1850s Debut: First introduced in France around the mid-19th century, this variety was developed by market gardeners in the Nantes region who needed a carrot that could thrive in local soils while meeting the high standards of European culinary tables.
• A Timeless Favorite: Unlike long, tapered varieties that demand deeply tilled, stone-free earth, the blunt-tipped Scarlet Nantes was selected for its cylindrical shape and uniform performance, quickly becoming a staple for home and market growers alike.

Scarlet Nantes is as reliable to grow as it is delicious on the plate.

• The Look: Cylindrical roots that typically reach 6 to 7 inches in length, featuring a blunt, rounded tip and smooth, bright reddish-orange skin. The interior is nearly coreless, boasting a rich, uniform orange color.
• The Habit: Vigorous tops and uniform roots that mature relatively early. Because of their cylindrical shape, they adapt well to raised beds, containers, and traditional garden rows.
• The Flavor: Exceptionally sweet, crisp, and tender, with virtually no woody or bitter taste. It is widely considered one of the best-tasting fresh-eating carrots available.

Scarlet Nantes is a reliable, mid-season favorite that performs wonderfully in home garden settings.

"Scarlet Nantes is the carrot we always plant first in the spring. We love it because no matter what our soil throws at us, these carrots always come out straight, uniform, and incredibly crisp. Slice one open and you'll find almost no hard core—just pure, sugary-sweet crunch that makes them completely irresistible straight out of the garden."

• Soil Preparation: While Nantes carrots are more forgiving than long varieties, ensure your soil is well-worked and free of large stones to encourage straight, clean roots.
• Sowing: Direct-sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, and plant again in late summer for a crisp fall harvest. Keep seeds moist until germination.
• Thinning: Thin seedlings to about 2 inches apart once they are a few inches tall to give each carrot room to size up properly.