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Tendersweet Carrot is a classic biannual vegetable variety that will provide you with a sweet and tender crop that is easy to grow. This popular carrot variety boasts long, slender, and vibrant orange roots with a delectably sweet and mild flavor, making them perfect for snacking and culinary creations. Whether enjoyed fresh, lightly cooked, or preserved through canning and freezing, Tendersweet carrots are a gardener’s delight. They thrive in well-drained soil under full sun, ready for harvest at 6 to 8 inches in length, ensuring a burst of flavor and tenderness in every bite.
NAME: Carrot (Daucus carota)
VARIETY: Tendersweet
DAYS TO MATURITY: 65 – 70 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
STATIFICATION: Not required
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 10
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Well-draining, sandy soils with a pH 5.8 – 6.5
SPACING: 2 – 4 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 – 18 inches
TEMP: 40 – 80ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
While it is possible to start carrots outdoors. it’s not recommended due to their long taproot.
If starting indoors, sow Tendersweet Carrot seeds in biodegradable pots or trays filled with loose, sandy soil 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date.
Plant the seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep in the soil and keep the soil consistently moist.
Place the trays in a location with plenty of sunlight or under grow lights.
Carrot seeds typically germinate within 14-21 days when kept at temperatures around 60-70°F (15-21°C).
Transplant outdoors carefully, ensuring minimal disturbance to the taproot.
Start seeds outdoors 3 to 5 weeks after your last frost; do not attempt to start indoors and transplant
Plant seeds 2 to 4 inches apart and 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep
Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist to ensure even, successful germination
Seedlings will emerge in 14 to 21 days
Once the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin carrots to 2 inches apart
Reseed as frequently as desired until 10 weeks before your first local fall/winter frost
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season, especially during hot and dry periods.
Mulch around the carrot plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.
Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer, as carrots do not require heavy feeding. Too much nitrogen can cause forked or hairy roots.
Monitor for common pests such as carrot rust flies, aphids, and slugs, and take appropriate measures to control them.
If your carrots are stunted and ball-like, it means that the soil was not prepared well enough; the carrot could not push through the compacted ground. Carrots will be irregular in shape and size, this is normal and natural.
Tendersweet Carrots typically mature in 60-70 days.
Harvest Tendersweet Carrots when they have reached the desired size, usually about 3-4 inches long and bright orange in color.
Gently loosen the soil around the carrots with a garden fork or trowel to avoid damaging the roots.
Pull the carrots straight up from the ground, grasping them near the base of the foliage.
Rinse off any dirt and trim off the tops before storing or consuming.
Carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks or preserved by freezing, canning, or pickling for longer-term storage.
