{"product_id":"scarlet-nantes-carrot-seeds","title":"Scarlet Nantes Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | 19th-Century French Classic, Parent of All Nantes-Type Carrots, Coreless 6–7 Inch Roots (Daucus carota)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eScarlet Nantes Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | 19th-Century French Classic, Parent of All Nantes-Type Carrots, Coreless 6–7 Inch Roots | 70 Days\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eScarlet Nantes (\u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003esativus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most popular and widespread carrot varieties ever grown — and has been the standard for high-quality carrots since the 19th century. A hardy French heirloom, Scarlet Nantes is the original parent crop for countless varieties now simply known as “Nantes-style carrots.” Bright orange, slightly tapered, 6–7 inch cylindrical roots with rounded ends, practically coreless, sweet, plump, and tender. Recommended by Utah State University. Excellent for bunching, fresh eating, juicing, and market. 1g \/ ~700+ seeds per packet. 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 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 6–7 inches long; cylindrical; rounded blunt ends; uniform diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright orange; reddish-orange flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCore:\u003c\/strong\u003e Practically coreless — very small core, exceptionally tender throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet, tender, delicate — the benchmark for carrot flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bunching, fresh eating, juicing, market\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Utah State University\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loamy, loose, well-drained; pH 6.0–7.0; sandy, few rocks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55–75°F\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 ½ inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin to 2–4 inches; rows 12–14 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, organic, annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePests:\u003c\/strong\u003e Watch for carrot rust fly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThe Parent of All Nantes-Type Carrots\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eScarlet Nantes is not just a great carrot — it is the carrot that defined an entire category. The “Nantes type” — cylindrical, blunt-ended, nearly coreless, sweet-fleshed orange carrots — is now the dominant style in commercial and home garden carrot production worldwide. Every Nantes-type carrot in existence traces its lineage back to Scarlet Nantes. Growing the original open-pollinated heirloom means growing the source variety — the carrot that set the standard before commercial breeding optimized for uniformity and shelf life. The flavor and texture of the original remain unsurpassed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat the Old Catalogs Said\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eScarlet Nantes’ reputation for exceptional quality is documented in seed catalogs going back nearly a century:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“The roots are bright orange, 5 to 6 inches long and very uniform. They have very small core and are exceptionally tender and sweet. The roots are rather slender, of even diameter and of early maturity. Very desirable for market, especially for bunching, and also splendid for the home garden.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e— Henry Fields Seed Company Catalog, 1927\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Early, Delicate Flavor, Coreless. A splendid home and market garden variety. Tops are small, and the rows can be planted close. Roots 6 to 8 ins. long, bright orange, cylindrical, blunt ended. Flesh reddish orange, crisp, tender and of very delicate flavor. Early maturing and practically coreless.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e— MacFayden Seed Company, 1937\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNearly 100 years later, the description is unchanged. Scarlet Nantes remains the benchmark for carrot flavor, texture, and market quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThe Bunching Carrot\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eScarlet Nantes was specifically noted in the 1927 Henry Fields catalog as “very desirable for market, especially for bunching” — and that remains true today. The uniform cylindrical roots with consistent diameter from shoulder to tip create perfect, even bunches that present beautifully at farmers markets and farm stands. Small tops allow close planting and tidy bunches. Harvest at similar sizes for the most uniform market bunches; succession sow every 2 weeks for a continuous supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh eating \u0026amp; snacking:\u003c\/strong\u003e The standout use — sweet, crisp, and tender straight from the garden; the benchmark for raw carrot flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBunching for market:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uniform cylindrical roots bunch perfectly; small tops keep bunches tidy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJuicing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet, reddish-orange flesh produces rich, flavorful carrot juice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreezing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blanch and freeze for long-term storage; holds texture and flavor well\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve lengthwise and roast at 400°F; the natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoups \u0026amp; stews:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cylindrical roots cut into uniform coins or batons; holds shape through cooking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCool weather crop — direct sow 2–3 weeks before final spring frost and every 2 weeks after for successive harvests. Sow ½ inch deep, 1–2 inches apart in loamy, loose, well-drained soil (pH 6.0–7.0) in full sun. Thin to 2–4 inches as true leaves establish. Carrots require a deep, well-tilled garden for straight taproot growth — loosen soil to at least 10–12 inches. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which cause root abnormalities and excessive greens. Keep soil consistently moist; water weekly. Watch for carrot rust fly. Harvest at 70 days when roots show at the soil surface — use a hori-hori or garden fork in firmer soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes Scarlet Nantes different from other Nantes-type carrots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eScarlet Nantes is the original — the open-pollinated heirloom parent from which all Nantes-type hybrids were developed. Modern Nantes-type hybrids have been selected for uniformity, disease resistance, and shelf life. Scarlet Nantes was selected for flavor, tenderness, and market quality — and the original open-pollinated variety remains the flavor benchmark that commercial breeders have been trying to replicate ever since.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs this an organic variety?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — Scarlet Nantes is an open-pollinated heirloom variety grown organically. It is non-GMO and suitable for certified organic production.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are my Scarlet Nantes roots forked or short?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eForking is almost always caused by stones, clods, or compacted soil in the root zone. Loosen soil to at least 10–12 inches before sowing and remove all rocks and clods. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers also cause forking — use balanced or low-nitrogen amendments only.\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":"1 g \/ ~700+ Seeds","offer_id":41712344858758,"sku":"ORG-TLM\/A3-700-82-1225-28","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7658499359_trlf.jpg?v=1770127883","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/scarlet-nantes-carrot-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}