Botanical Name: Daucus carota
Days to Maturity: 75 days
Family: Apiaceae
Native: Africa, Eurasia
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant biennial grown as an annual
Plant Dimensions: Roots are 5" long at their peak.
Variety Information: Smooth, tapered, deep orange/red roots with blunt ends. High moisture content contributes to its superior flavor. 'Shin Kuroda' is a Chantenay type carrot.
Attributes: Good for Heavy Soil, Heat Tolerant
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 45°F, ideally 60°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 10 to 12 weeks before your average first fall frost date. In very warm climates, carrots are grown primarily in fall, winter, and spring.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended; root disturbance stunts growth.
Days to Emerge: 10–25 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: 1"
Row Spacing: 6"
Thinning: When 1" tall, thin 1 every to 3"
Harvesting: For best flavor and texture, harvest carrots before they get larger than their optimal size. Peak harvest period lasts about 3 weeks, longer in the fall. Late summer sown carrots are sweetened after having been kissed by light frost; however, harvest before soil freezes, which might destroy the crop. In USDA zone 5 or warmer, carrots can be left in the ground for storage provided they are heavily mulched; harvest as needed on days the ground is not frozen.
