(Daucas carota) There’s been a proliferation of new purple carrot varieties over the past few years and we’ve tried many of them but Dragon continues to be our number one. A gem from John Navazio, Dragon is a showstopper. The 6-7” tapered roots have a stunning deep reddish-purple skin and orange or sometimes concentrically orange and yellow colored flesh. But how do they taste? Our market customers loved them for their sweet, spicy, and full flavor for fresh noshing. These carrots respond especially well to attentive thinning to 2” to produce the most beautiful, uniform, and long roots. Somewhat weaker tops for bunching. Fun for kids but delightful for everyone! 70 days. TR
Seeds can be sown early spring (April) and into late July. Direct seeding is strongly recommended.
Note: Carrots prefer cooler ambient temperatures, deep, well-drained, light, sandy, and loamy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic (6-7) pH, and an even watering schedule (do not let the soil dry out before emergence!). Seeds may be sown every 3 weeks through mid summer.
PLANTING DEPTH:
1/4-1/2"
SPACING:
6-8 seeds per linear foot, thinning to 3/4-2" between plants in rows 16-24" apart.
EMERGENCE:
7-21 days @ soil temp 55-75F and even watering
LIGHT:
Full sun to part shade
FERTILITY:
Medium to high. While carrots do prefer well-prepared and fertile soil, avoid adding excess Nitrogen as it may lead to hairy and/or forked roots. Aim for a neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Acidic soils (pH below 6.0) are a no no for carrots!
Lower Nitrogen, medium phosphorus and higher potassium grow the best roots!
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Remember that carrots prefer cooler temperatures, even water, and space. Keep em weeded!
If you find that your carrots are producing hairy forked roots, this means your soil is too heavy in Nitrogen.
Try to avoid growing carrots in a new, previously grassy area as wireworms will visit!
Use floating row cover to deter carrot rust flies and aim for a 3 year rotation to avoid blight.
