Carrot Seeds - Imperator 58 - Daucus carota

USDA Zones 2-11: Carrots are a cool-season crop grown as an annual in all zones. Planting schedules are based on avoiding the peak heat of summer, as high temperatures can cause bitter, poorly-formed roots. Best Performance: Carrots develop the best flavor and sweetness when they mature in cool weather (60-70 degrees F). Spring and fall are the primary growing seasons in most regions. Northern Zones (2-5): Sow seeds in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Plant successively every 2-3 weeks until mid-summer for a continuous harvest. A late-summer planting will yield a fall crop that becomes exceptionally sweet after a light frost. Hot Climate Zones (8-11): The best planting times are in the fall and late winter. A fall planting will provide a harvest throughout the winter months. A late-winter or very early spring planting will mature before the intense summer heat arrives. Avoid sowing in late spring or summer. Soil Temperature: Germination is best in soil temperatures between 50-75 degrees F. Germination can be slow (1-3 weeks), especially in cooler soil, so consistent moisture is vital. Growing Season: This variety matures in approximately 70-75 days. It thrives in the cool temperatures of spring and fall and does not require a long frost-free period.

USDA Zones 2-11: Carrots are a cool-season crop grown as an annual in all zones. Planting schedules are based on avoiding the peak heat of summer, as high temperatures can cause bitter, poorly-formed roots.

Best Performance: Carrots develop the best flavor and sweetness when they mature in cool weather (60-70 degrees F). Spring and fall are the primary growing seasons in most regions.

Northern Zones (2-5): Sow seeds in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Plant successively every 2-3 weeks until mid-summer for a continuous harvest. A late-summer planting will yield a fall crop that becomes exceptionally sweet after a light frost.

Hot Climate Zones (8-11): The best planting times are in the fall and late winter. A fall planting will provide a harvest throughout the winter months. A late-winter or very early spring planting will mature before the intense summer heat arrives. Avoid sowing in late spring or summer.

Soil Temperature: Germination is best in soil temperatures between 50-75 degrees F. Germination can be slow (1-3 weeks), especially in cooler soil, so consistent moisture is vital.

Growing Season: This variety matures in approximately 70-75 days. It thrives in the cool temperatures of spring and fall and does not require a long frost-free period.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

Carrots must be sown directly into the garden soil; they do not tolerate being transplanted.

Site Preparation (The Key to Success):

Location: Choose a spot that receives full sun.

Soil: This is the most critical step for Imperator carrots. The soil must be loose, sandy, and free of rocks, roots, and hard clumps to a depth of at least 12 inches. If you have heavy clay or rocky soil, consider growing in a raised bed filled with a quality soil mix.

Fertilizer: Avoid using fresh manure or fertilizers high in nitrogen, as this can cause the roots to fork and develop side hairs. Work a small amount of well-rotted compost into the soil before planting.

Sowing the Seeds:

When: Sow 2-3 weeks before your last spring frost or in late summer/early fall for a fall crop.

How: Carrot seeds are very small. To make sowing easier, you can mix the seeds with a small amount of sand. Sow the seeds thinly in shallow furrows, about 1/4 inch deep.

Spacing: Space the rows 12-18 inches apart.

Watering: Water the area gently with a fine spray to avoid washing the seeds away. The soil surface must remain consistently moist until the seeds germinate, which can take 1-3 weeks. Covering the rows with a burlap sack or a wooden board can help retain moisture (remove it as soon as you see the first sprouts).

Care and Maintenance:

Thinning (Crucial Step): When seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, you must thin them so they stand 2-3 inches apart. Use small scissors to snip the extra seedlings at the soil line to avoid disturbing the roots of the remaining plants. If you skip thinning, you will get very small, underdeveloped carrots.

Watering: Provide about 1 inch of water per week. Consistent, deep watering is better than frequent, shallow watering.

Weeding: Keep the area free of weeds, which compete for nutrients and moisture. Weed carefully by hand to avoid damaging the carrot roots.

Hilling: As the carrots grow, their "shoulders" may push out of the soil. Cover them with a small amount of soil to prevent them from turning green and bitter from sun exposure.

Harvesting:
Begin checking roots for size after about 70 days. Gently remove the soil from around the top of one or two carrots to check their diameter. To harvest, loosen the soil around the carrot with a garden fork and pull it straight up from the ground. For the best storage, twist or cut the green tops off immediately, leaving about a half-inch of stem.