Organic Scarlet Nantes Carrot Seeds

Scarlet Nantes carrots are easy to grow and tasty! In mild climates like that of Southern California, you can grow carrots year-round with a bit of extra work. This particular variety is a classic carrot that produces tasty, reliable carrots. Ready in only 65-75 days, this finely flavored carrot does well as a bunching carrot and as a storage carrot. “Nantes” is a type of carrot distinguished by its blunt ends that do better in heavier, rockier soils. Our Scarlet Nantes carrots are selected specifically for their productivity in the less-than-desirable soils of the American southwest.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Carrots can be grown year round in mild areas of Zones 9 and 10. Although they can be a fussy crop to get used to planting, once you become familiar with their requirements you will plant them often.

Zones 2-8

• Direct seed in the spring after the danger of frost is gone.

Planting Carrot Seeds

• Carrots, as with all vegetable seed crops, require moisture to germinate. For even and fast germination the soil must be moist the whole time the seed is germinating. For areas of the southwest, this can be difficult. We recommend direct sowing your seeds into well-worked soil that has ample amounts of compost mixed in. Compost helps to retain moisture in the soil. We recommend if you are planting in raised beds or containers that you THOROUGHLY water all the way through the container or raised bed prior to planting.
• Plant carrot seeds into well-worked and finely raked soil. Planting into a shallow furrow made with a rake or your hands is best. Place seeds in the furrow and lightly mist the seed. Do not water with a hard spray, as this may displace the seeds and cover them with too much soil. Cover the seed with ¼” (.6cm) of finely sifted soil. Carrots can be slow to germinate. Check for moisture in your soil often, as you don’t want them to dry out during germination.

Growing Carrots

• Once your carrot seeds have germinated, it is critical that you thin them. If you fail to thin your carrot seeds, you will end up with spindly carrots that are likely to break when you try to pull them from the ground.
• Additional tips for growing carrots are on our blog!

Growing Carrots in Containers

• If you are planting Scarlet Nantes carrots in containers, make sure your container is at least 10″ (25.4cm) deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture.

Harvesting Carrots 

• Carrots can be harvested at any stage that they are worth eating. You can harvest baby carrots early, which will help thin the crop, making room for the others to get bigger.

Southern California Pro Tips

• In areas of Zones 9 and 10, moisture in the soil is the most crucial factor in successfully starting your carrot seeds. Keep soil moist the whole time the seeds are germinating. Shade cloth can be very helpful if you are starting seed in a warm climate.
• If you are planting in raised beds or containers, make sure you water DEEPLY, prior to planting.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Carrots grow well with other vegetable crops and flowers. We like to grow carrots next to lettuce during the fall and winter seasons. Alyssum looks beautiful in a carrot bed!

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please read our article, Starting Seeds Indoors, to learn the basics!
• Carrot microgreens have big carrot flavor in their greens!