Autumn King Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | Massive 12-Inch Flakkee-Type, Heavy Soil Tolerant, Harvest Through December | 70–85 Days

Autumn King (Daucus carota), also known as Autumn King/Flakkee, is the definitive main-crop storage carrot — bred for size, cold hardiness, and heavy soil performance that most long-rooted varieties simply cannot match. Massive bright-orange roots grow up to 2½ inches wide and 12 inches long, thick and sweet, with upright tops reaching 16 inches tall. Sow through July and leave roots in the ground through December — cold temperatures convert starches to sugars, making Autumn King sweeter after frost. 1g / ~700+ seeds per packet. 70–85 days to maturity.

• Botanical name: Daucus carota
• Also known as: Autumn King/Flakkee
• Days to maturity: 70–85 days
• Days to germination: 14–21 days
• Root size: Up to 12 inches long, 2½ inches wide
• Root color: Bright orange throughout
• Flavor: Sweet — intensifies after frost; excellent roasted or juiced
• Soil tolerance: Heavy soils — more forgiving than most long-rooted varieties
• Cold tolerance: Excellent — stays in ground through hard frost
• Harvest window: August through December
• Storage: Excellent — weeks to months in cool, humid conditions; store without stems
• Packet size: 1g / ~700+ seeds
• Sowing depth: ¼ inch
• Spacing: Thin to 2–3 inches; 16 plants per sq ft
• Light: Full sun
• USDA Zones: 3–9
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, annual

The Best Carrot for Clay & Heavy Soil

Most large-rooted carrot varieties demand deep, perfectly loose, stone-free sandy soil — and fail in anything less. Autumn King/Flakkee was bred specifically for heavier, denser soils where other long-rooted varieties fork, stunt, or fail entirely. The broad, thick root profile distributes growth pressure more evenly through the soil column, sizing up reliably even in clay-heavy or compacted beds. If heavy soil has kept you from growing large carrots, Autumn King is the variety that changes that.

A True Winter Storage Carrot — Harvest Through December

Autumn King is one of the few carrot varieties that genuinely improves in the ground after frost. Cold temperatures trigger starch-to-sugar conversion, deepening the sweetness of roots left in the ground through November and December. In mild climates, harvest as needed through the coldest months. In hard freeze zones, mulch the bed heavily to keep soil workable and extend the harvest window. After harvest, remove stems immediately — stems draw moisture from the root and shorten storage life. Store in damp sand or perforated bags in a cool, humid location; roots remain crisp for weeks to months.

In the Kitchen

• Roasting: Halve lengthwise, toss with olive oil, honey, and thyme, roast at 400°F — the large size caramelizes beautifully and sweetness concentrates
• Soups & stews: Thick roots hold shape through long cooking; cut into large chunks for hearty winter soups and braises
• Root cellar storage: Large size and exceptional keeping quality make Autumn King the ideal storage carrot for winter
• Juicing: High post-frost sugar content produces a rich, deeply sweet carrot juice
• Glazed carrots: Cut into coins or batons and glaze with butter, brown sugar, and caraway
• Lacto-fermentation: Shred or slice for fermented carrot sticks — high sugar content supports active fermentation

Growing Notes

Direct sow ¼ inch deep in rich, well-prepared soil — remove stones and break up clods for the straightest roots. Sow from early spring through July for a succession of harvests running August through December. Thin to 2–3 inches as true leaves establish. Keep soil consistently moist through germination (14–21 days). Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which cause forking and excessive top growth. Use a garden fork to loosen soil before harvesting — the thick, heavy roots need leverage to pull cleanly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Autumn King really get sweeter after frost?

Yes — cold temperatures trigger starch-to-sugar conversion in the roots, noticeably improving sweetness. Roots left in the ground through November and December are often sweeter than those harvested in August. This is one of Autumn King’s defining advantages as a winter storage carrot.

Why are my Autumn King roots forked or stubby?

Forking is almost always caused by stones, clods, or compacted soil in the root zone. Autumn King tolerates heavier soils better than most, but still benefits from thorough soil preparation. Remove rocks, break up clods, and loosen soil to at least 12 inches. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers.

How do I store Autumn King after harvest?

Remove stems immediately after harvest — stems draw moisture from the root and shorten storage life. Store in a cool, humid location (root cellar, refrigerator crisper, or cool garage) in damp sand or perforated bags. Roots remain crisp for weeks to months under proper conditions.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.