{"product_id":"purple-dragon-carrot-seeds","title":"Purple Dragon Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | Bred by Dr. John Navazio, Reddish-Purple Skin \u0026 Orange Interior, High Lycopene (Daucus carota)","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePurple Dragon Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | Reddish-Purple Skin, Brilliant Orange Interior, Spicy-Sweet Complex Flavor | 70 Days\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Dragon (\u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e) is a refined, unusually attractive heirloom carrot bred by Dr. John Navazio — one of the most respected plant breeders in the open-pollinated seed world. Gorgeous reddish-purple exterior is smooth and very attractive; the brilliant orange interior makes a stunning contrast when sliced on relish trays, platters, and salads. Half-long root habit (7–8 inches) means well-formed roots even in somewhat tight or heavy soil. Spicy-sweet and wonderfully complex flavor — great for snacking, and kids love them. High lycopene content makes Purple Dragon a super antioxidant carrot. Southwest adapted. Frost hardy. 1 g \/ 700+ seeds per packet. 70 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\u003eBred by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dr. John Navazio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to germination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–18 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–8 inches; half-long habit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reddish-purple skin; brilliant orange interior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spicy-sweet, wonderfully complex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLycopene content:\u003c\/strong\u003e High — super antioxidant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Half-long habit performs in tight or heavy soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdaptation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southwest adapted; USDA Zones 3–10\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; rows 12 inches; 16 plants per sq ft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50–75°F optimal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun (tolerates partial shade in heat)\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\u003eBred by Dr. John Navazio\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Dragon was developed by Dr. John Navazio, a plant breeder and seed mentor with decades of work in open-pollinated vegetable breeding. Navazio’s breeding philosophy centers on flavor, nutrition, and adaptability — and Purple Dragon reflects all three. The variety was selected for its unusually refined appearance (smooth, glossy reddish-purple skin rather than the rough, matte surface of many purple carrots), its complex spicy-sweet flavor, and its half-long root habit that allows it to perform in heavier soils where most long-rooted purple varieties struggle. It is Southwest adapted, making it one of the few purple carrot varieties specifically selected for performance in arid and semi-arid growing conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Purple-Orange Cross-Section\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Dragon’s reddish-purple skin contains high concentrations of lycopene — the same antioxidant found in tomatoes — making it one of the most nutritionally dense carrot varieties available. The brilliant orange interior is rich in beta-carotene. Together they create a cross-section that is as nutritionally powerful as it is visually striking. Important note: the purple color is concentrated in the skin and fades with heat — use raw or lightly cooked to preserve the dramatic color contrast. The orange interior holds its color through cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelish trays \u0026amp; platters:\u003c\/strong\u003e The standout use — slice into coins to reveal the purple-and-orange cross-section; the color contrast is dramatic and the spicy-sweet flavor is excellent raw\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh snacking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kids love them — the spicy-sweet complexity is approachable and the purple color is genuinely exciting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoups \u0026amp; dishes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Great in soups, stews, and roasted vegetable dishes; the flavor complexity adds depth to cooked preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve lengthwise and roast at 400°F with olive oil and honey; the purple fades but the flavor deepens and concentrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJuicing:\u003c\/strong\u003e High lycopene and beta-carotene content makes Purple Dragon excellent for fresh juice; blend with apple and ginger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRainbow slaws:\u003c\/strong\u003e Julienne with Lunar White, Solar Yellow, and Atomic Red for a four-color slaw\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCool weather crop — sow in spring and fall. Direct sow ⅛ inch deep in loose, well-drained soil (pH 6.0–7.0) in full sun. Sow 1 inch apart in rows 12 inches apart; thin to 2–3 inches as true leaves establish. Keep soil consistently moist — carrot seed dries out easily when first planted; water gently and regularly until germination. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Purple Dragon is frost hardy and tolerates partial shade in hotter climates. Half-long root habit means it performs in somewhat tight or heavy soils, though loose, well-drained soil produces the best roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed Saving\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Dragon is a biennial — it produces seeds in its second year. Select the tastiest roots for seed saving by tasting a small bite from the side or tip of the root at harvest. In warmer climates (desert Southwest), leave selected roots in the ground to overwinter and cover with straw. In colder climates (Rocky Mountains and similar), store roots in slightly moist sand in a root cellar or cool location and replant in spring. Carrots will flower and set seed in the second season. Isolate by caging or bagging — other carrot varieties including wild Queen Anne’s Lace will cross-pollinate. Collect seeds when fully dry and beginning to crumble. Store in a cool, dark, dry place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the purple color stay when cooked?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the purple color comes from lycopene and anthocyanins in the skin, which fade with heat. For the most dramatic purple-and-orange cross-section, use Purple Dragon raw or very lightly cooked. The orange interior holds its color through cooking regardless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does Purple Dragon perform in heavy soil?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetter than most purple carrot varieties. The half-long root habit (7–8 inches rather than 10–12 inches) means roots don’t need to penetrate as deeply, reducing the forking and stunting that affects longer-rooted varieties in heavy or rocky soil. For best results, still loosen soil to 8–10 inches and amend with compost before sowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Purple Dragon cross with my other carrots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — all \u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e varieties cross-pollinate, including wild Queen Anne’s Lace. For seed saving, isolate by caging or bagging individual plants and hand-pollinate. For eating purposes, cross-pollination has no effect on the current season’s roots.\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":"1g \/ ~700+ Seeds","offer_id":41500200697990,"sku":"EWF\/E4-700-82-325-29-OT","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/purple-dragon-carrot-harvest.png?v=1786932390","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/purple-dragon-carrot-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}