Daucus carota

• Amazingly sweet and big
• Ideal shape for juicing
• 12-15cm (5-6") long
• Open-pollinated seeds
• Matures in 70 days

Expect good flavour and an ideal shape for juicing. Royal Chantenay is also good for freezing and canning. These broad-shouldered, dark orange carrots are 12-15cm (5-6") long, and amazingly sweet.

Royal Chantenay carrot seeds produce roots that grow to a uniform size and shape, so they are perfect for the market garden. These carrots can be grown to a really hefty size. Royal Chantenay is a standard carrot for heavy clay or shallow soils. The flesh has a fine grain and is reddish orange inside and out. Since it was first made available in 1952, it counts as an heirloom seed.

1g (Approx. 780 seeds)

Direct sow from just after the last frost date to late summer for harvests from summer through early winter. Sow at 3 week intervals for a continuous harvest. Direct sow winter-harvest carrots (where winters are mild) in the first two weeks of August. Optimal soil temperature: 7-30°C (45-85°F). Seeds may take as long as 14-21 days to germinate.

Because carrot seeds are tiny, they need to be sown shallowly. The trick is to keep the top-most layer of soil damp during the relatively long germination period. Water deeply prior to planting. Direct sow the tiny seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, 4 seeds per 2cm (1″), and firm soil lightly after seeding. Make sure the seeds are only just buried. Water the area with the gentlest stream possible, and keep it constantly moist until the seeds sprout.