3 Color Carrot Seed Collection — Heirloom | Scarlet Red, Solar Yellow & Cosmic Purple | Three Packets, ~500 Seeds Each

Three heirloom carrot varieties — one collection. Scarlet Red, Solar Yellow, and Cosmic Purple deliver a full spectrum of color, flavor, and nutrition that standard orange carrots simply cannot match. Each variety is open-pollinated, grown for flavor as well as appearance, and packed with distinct phytonutrients: lycopene in the red, xanthophylls in the yellow, and anthocyanins in the purple. The edible green tops add a bonus harvest for salads and soups. Three packets, approximately 500 seeds each. Direct sow in spring or fall.

• Varieties included: Scarlet Red, Solar Yellow, Cosmic Purple
• Seeds per packet: ~500 seeds per variety (3 packets total)
• Botanical name: Daucus carota
• Edible tops: Yes — excellent in salads, soups, and pesto
• Sowing depth: ⅛ inch
• Spacing: Thin to 2–3 inches apart; 16 plants per sq ft
• Light: Full sun
• USDA Zones: 3–9
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, annual

What’s in the Collection

Scarlet Red

Deep scarlet-red roots with a smooth, uniform shape. Rich in lycopene — the same antioxidant found in tomatoes — and beta-carotene. Flavor is sweet and earthy, slightly more robust than standard orange carrots. Striking raw in salads and slaws; holds its red color well when roasted.

Solar Yellow

Bright lemon-yellow roots, crisp and sweet with a mild, clean flavor. Rich in xanthophylls, which support eye health. The mildest of the three — excellent for fresh eating, juicing, and dishes where a subtler carrot flavor is preferred. Pairs beautifully with the red and purple in mixed preparations.

Cosmic Purple

Deep purple skin with a bright orange interior — the cross-section is visually dramatic. The purple color comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants also found in blueberries and red cabbage. Flavor is complex — spicy and slightly peppery raw, mellowing to sweet when cooked. The purple color fades with heat; use raw or lightly cooked to preserve the color.

In the Kitchen

• Rainbow crudités: Slice all three raw and serve together — the color contrast is striking on any platter
• Roasted medley: Toss all three with olive oil, honey, and thyme; roast at 400°F until caramelized
• Juicing: Blend all three for a visually stunning and nutritionally diverse carrot juice
• Pickled carrots: Quick-pickle sliced carrots in rice vinegar and sugar; the colors hold beautifully
• Carrot top pesto: Blend young carrot tops with garlic, olive oil, and parmesan for a peppery pesto
• Salads & slaws: Shred or julienne all three for a colorful, nutrient-dense slaw base

Growing Notes

Direct sow ⅛ inch deep in loose, deeply worked, well-draining soil — compacted or rocky soil causes forked, stunted roots. Sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall crop. Thin to 2–3 inches apart once seedlings reach 2 inches tall. Keep soil consistently moist until germination (14–21 days). For a season-long harvest, succession sow every 2–3 weeks through spring. Full sun. Harvest when shoulders are visible at the soil surface and roots have reached desired size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the colors stay when cooked?

Scarlet Red and Solar Yellow hold their color reasonably well through roasting and light cooking. Cosmic Purple fades significantly with heat — the anthocyanins that create the purple color are water-soluble and heat-sensitive. Use Cosmic Purple raw or lightly cooked to preserve the color; it will still taste excellent when fully cooked, just with less visual impact.

Are carrot tops edible?

Yes. Carrot tops are edible and nutritious, though slightly bitter. Use young, tender tops in salads, blend into pesto with garlic and olive oil, or add to soups and stocks. Avoid very mature tops which can be tough and more bitter.

Can I save seed from these varieties?

Yes — all three are open-pollinated heirloom varieties. Allow a few plants to overwinter (or replant roots in spring in cold climates) and let them flower and set seed in their second year. Keep varieties separated by at least 300 feet or cage-isolate to prevent cross-pollination between colors.

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