{"product_id":"purple-carrot-seeds","title":"Purple Carrot, Heirloom Seeds — Deep Purple Skin, Bright Orange Interior, Sweet \u0026 Tender (Daucus carota)","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePurple Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | Deep Purple Skin, Bright Orange Interior, Sweet \u0026amp; Tender | 65–70 Days\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003ePurple Carrot (\u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003esativus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a striking heirloom variety that surprises at every step — deep purple exterior conceals a bright orange interior revealed only when sliced. Roots grow up to 7 inches long with a tapered end, sweet and tender flesh, and the dramatic purple-to-orange cross-section that makes this variety a standout on any relish tray, salad, or market display. Full sun, zones 3–9, sandy rock-free soil. 1g \/ ~700+ seeds per packet. 65–70 days to maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003esativus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65–70 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 Up to 7 inches long, tapered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep purple exterior; bright orange interior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet and tender\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy, rock-free, well-drained — roots grow straight down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePacket size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1g \/ ~700+ seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSowing depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e ⅛ 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\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\u003ch2\u003eThe Purple-to-Orange Reveal\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePurple Carrot’s most distinctive quality is the contrast between its exterior and interior. Pulled from the ground, it looks like a deep purple root unlike any standard carrot. Sliced, it reveals a bright orange interior — the same beta-carotene-rich flesh found in classic orange varieties, wrapped in an anthocyanin-rich purple skin. This makes it visually dramatic in any preparation where the cross-section is visible: sliced on relish trays, cut into coins for salads, or julienned for slaws. The purple color is concentrated in the skin and fades with heat — use raw or lightly cooked to preserve the color contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaw sliced:\u003c\/strong\u003e The standout use — slice into coins to reveal the purple-and-orange cross-section; arrange on relish trays and platters for maximum visual impact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalads:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slice or julienne; the color contrast is striking against green leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRainbow slaws:\u003c\/strong\u003e Combine with Lunar White, Solar Yellow, and Atomic Red for a four-color slaw\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve lengthwise and roast at 400°F with olive oil and honey; purple fades but flavor deepens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJuicing:\u003c\/strong\u003e High anthocyanin and beta-carotene content; blend with apple and ginger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quick-pickle whole or sliced; purple bleeds into brine creating a beautiful pink-purple liquid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow ⅛ inch deep in sandy, rock-free, well-drained soil in full sun. Roots grow straight down — remove all rocks and loosen soil to at least 8–10 inches before sowing. Sow 2–3 seeds per inch; thin to 2–3 inches apart as true leaves establish. Keep soil consistently moist until germination (14–21 days). Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which cause forking. Succession sow every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Harvest at 65–70 days when purple shoulders are visible at the soil surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes the purple color stay when cooked?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo — the purple color comes from anthocyanins in the skin, which are water-soluble and heat-sensitive. The color fades significantly with cooking. For the most dramatic purple-and-orange cross-section, use raw or very lightly cooked. The orange interior holds its color through cooking regardless.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow is this different from Purple Dragon or Cosmic Purple?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll three are purple-skinned carrots with orange interiors, but each has distinct characteristics. Cosmic Purple (58 days) is coreless and faster-maturing. Purple Dragon (70 days) was bred by Dr. John Navazio with a half-long root habit and high lycopene content. This Purple Carrot is a classic open-pollinated heirloom selection — straightforward, reliable, and sweet at 65–70 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\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":"1g \/ ~700+ seeds","offer_id":44256571654278,"sku":"TLM\/A3-700-78-226-29","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/purple-carrot-raised-bed.png?v=1786937203","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/purple-carrot-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}