{"product_id":"amsterdam-carrot-seeds","title":"Amsterdam Carrot Seeds — Heirloom Nantes-Type, Baby Bunch \u0026 Forcing (Daucus carota)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAmsterdam Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | Nantes-Type Baby Bunch Carrot, Uniform 4–6 Inch Bright Orange Roots, Indistinct Core | 50–70 Days\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmsterdam (\u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as Amsterdam Forcing 2, is a European heirloom Nantes-type carrot cultivated for generations for one defining quality: uniformity. Smooth, cylindrical, 4–6 inch bright orange roots with indistinct cores — no tough, pale center — deliver clean, sweet flavor and exceptional presentation for bunching and fresh market. The variety’s forcing ability makes it one of the best choices for cold frame and greenhouse production, where it can be harvested as baby carrots in as few as 50 days. 50–70 days to full maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlso known as:\u003c\/strong\u003e Amsterdam Forcing 2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50–70 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to germination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14–21 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–6 inches, uniform, cylindrical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright orange\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCore:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indistinct — clean eating quality throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nantes-style — blunt tip, smooth skin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eForcing ability:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent — cold frames and greenhouses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — compact root size ideal for pots and planters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePacket size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 g \/ ~700+ Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSowing depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e ¼ inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin to 2 inches apart; 16 plants per sq ft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, biennial grown as annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Dutch Orange Carrot — A Brief History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the Dutch influence of the 16th century, the world’s carrot crop was predominantly purple. Orange was a mutant variation that Dutch growers deliberately isolated and cultivated as a separate cultivar — some historians suggest as a tribute to the House of Orange. Amsterdam, developed in the Netherlands, is a direct descendant of this tradition: a variety bred for the uniform, bright orange color and clean flavor that define the modern carrot. Growing Amsterdam is growing a piece of that history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Indistinct Core Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost carrot varieties have a visible pale core — the xylem tissue at the center of the root — which is tougher and less flavorful than the surrounding flesh. Amsterdam was selected specifically for an indistinct core, meaning the color, texture, and flavor are consistent from skin to center. This makes it exceptional for fresh eating, juicing, and any preparation where the carrot is eaten raw or lightly cooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh bunching:\u003c\/strong\u003e The classic use — wash, trim tops to 2 inches, and sell or serve as a fresh bunch; the uniform size and bright color make a beautiful market presentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrudités \u0026amp; snacking:\u003c\/strong\u003e The sweet, clean flavor and crisp texture are ideal raw; no peeling needed if scrubbed well\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJuicing:\u003c\/strong\u003e The indistinct core means consistent flavor and color throughout — excellent for fresh carrot juice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve lengthwise and roast with olive oil and honey; the uniform size ensures even cooking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlazed carrots:\u003c\/strong\u003e The sweet flavor pairs perfectly with butter, brown sugar, and thyme\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slice into coins or sticks and quick-pickle in rice vinegar and sugar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow ¼ inch deep in very loose, well-tilled, well-drained soil — compacted soil causes forked and stunted roots. Sow 2–3 seeds per inch and thin to 2 inches apart as true leaves establish. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which cause growth abnormalities (forking, hairy roots). Keep soil consistently moist until germination (14–21 days). For cold frame or greenhouse forcing, sow in late winter for extra-early spring harvest. For a season-long supply, succession sow every 2–3 weeks through spring and again in late summer for a fall crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does “forcing” mean for carrots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForcing refers to growing carrots in a protected environment — cold frame, greenhouse, or poly tunnel — to produce an early harvest before outdoor conditions allow. Amsterdam Forcing 2 was specifically selected for this use, germinating and developing reliably in cooler conditions than most carrot varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy avoid nitrogen fertilizer with carrots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh nitrogen promotes leafy top growth at the expense of root development and can cause forking, excessive root hair, and misshapen roots. Use a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer, or simply amend with well-aged compost before sowing rather than fertilizing during the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Amsterdam carrots be grown in containers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — the 4–6 inch root length makes Amsterdam one of the best carrot varieties for container growing. Use a pot or planter at least 12 inches deep with loose, well-draining potting mix. Water consistently as containers dry out faster than garden beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"1 g \/ ~700+ Seeds","offer_id":41712236888198,"sku":"TLM\/A3-700-88-724-27","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/amsterdam-carrot-harvest-bunch.png?v=1786879520","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/amsterdam-carrot-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}