{"product_id":"autumn-king-carrot-seeds","title":"Autumn King Carrot Seeds — Heirloom Flakkee-Type, Heavy Soil \u0026 Winter Hardy (Daucus carota)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAutumn King Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | Massive 12-Inch Flakkee-Type, Heavy Soil Tolerant, Harvest Through December | 70–85 Days\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutumn King (\u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as Autumn King\/Flakkee, is the main-crop carrot for gardeners who want size, storage, and season extension in one variety. Massive bright-orange roots grow up to 2½ inches wide and 12 inches long — thick, heavy, and sweet — with upright tops reaching 16 inches tall. Unlike most long-rooted varieties that require perfectly loose, sandy soil, Autumn King performs well in heavier soils and can remain in the ground well into winter without spoiling, making it one of the most practical large-rooted heirloom carrots available. Sow through July; harvest from August through December.  70–85 days to 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 Autumn King\/Flakkee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70–85 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 Up to 12 inches long, 2½ inches wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright orange throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet — excellent roasted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy soils — more forgiving than most long-rooted varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent — stays in ground through winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest window:\u003c\/strong\u003e August through December\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent — remains crisp long after harvest; store without stems\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 2–3 inches; 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 (all U.S. zones)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Flakkee Advantage — Built for Heavy Soil and Long Seasons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost large-rooted carrot varieties require deep, perfectly loose, stone-free sandy soil to develop straight, uniform roots. Autumn King\/Flakkee was bred specifically to perform in 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, allowing the variety to size up even where soil conditions are less than ideal. This makes it the practical choice for gardeners with clay-heavy or compacted beds who still want a large, productive main-crop carrot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeason Extension — Sow Through July, Harvest Through December\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutumn King’s cold tolerance sets it apart from most carrot varieties. Roots can remain in the ground well into winter without spoiling — cold temperatures actually convert starches to sugars, improving flavor after frost. Sow seeds through July for a fall and winter harvest window that runs from August through December. In mild climates, roots can be left in the ground and harvested as needed through the coldest months. In harder freeze zones, mulch heavily over the bed to extend the harvest window. Roots should be stored without their stems after harvest and will remain crisp for weeks in a cool, dry location.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasting:\u003c\/strong\u003e The standout use — halve lengthwise, toss with olive oil, honey, and thyme, roast at 400°F; the large size caramelizes beautifully and the sweet flavor concentrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoups \u0026amp; stews:\u003c\/strong\u003e The thick roots hold their shape through long cooking; cut into large chunks for hearty winter soups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage carrots:\u003c\/strong\u003e The large size and excellent keeping quality make Autumn King ideal for root cellar storage through winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJuicing:\u003c\/strong\u003e High sugar content produces a rich, sweet carrot juice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlazed carrots:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut into coins or batons and glaze with butter, brown sugar, and caraway\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shred or slice for lacto-fermented carrot sticks — the high sugar content supports active fermentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow ¼ inch deep in rich soil with no stones — remove rocks and break up clods before sowing for the straightest roots. Sow from early spring through July for a succession of harvests running August through December. Thin to 2–3 inches apart as true leaves establish. Keep soil consistently moist until germination (14–21 days). Watch for weeds — weed roots can interfere with carrot root development in the early stages. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which cause forking and growth abnormalities. Roots may need to be dug rather than pulled due to their great thickness and length — use a garden fork to loosen soil before harvesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need to harvest before frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — Autumn King is cold tolerant and can remain in the ground through frost and into winter. Cold temperatures improve flavor by converting starches to sugars. In hard freeze zones, mulch the bed heavily to keep the soil workable and extend the harvest window. Harvest as needed through December.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are my Autumn King roots forked or stubby?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForking is almost always caused by stones, clods, or compacted soil in the root zone. Autumn King tolerates heavier soils better than most long-rooted varieties, but still benefits from thorough soil preparation before sowing. Remove rocks, break up clods, and loosen soil to at least 12 inches deep. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers also cause forking — use balanced or low-nitrogen amendments only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I store Autumn King after harvest?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove stems before storage — leaving stems attached draws moisture from the root and shortens storage life. Store roots 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.\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":41712267493510,"sku":"OD-TLM\/A3-700-90-725-28","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7658512921_n2la.jpg?v=1770129930","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/autumn-king-carrot-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}