VEGETABLE Carrot ‘Nantes’ Seeds
Botanical Name: Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Carrot ‘Nantes’ is a classic heirloom variety known for its smooth, cylindrical roots and sweet, tender flavour. It grows straight and uniform, making it an excellent choice for fresh eating, juicing, and cooking. With a crisp texture and bright orange colour, Nantes carrots are loved by home gardeners and market growers alike. They thrive in New Zealand’s temperate climate and perform best in loose, stone-free soils.
Why Grow Nantes Carrots?
- Produces uniform, blunt-tipped carrots with excellent flavour and sweetness.
- Quick-growing variety—ready in 65–70 days.
- Ideal for eating raw, juicing, or roasting.
- Performs reliably in both small gardens and larger vegetable patches.
- Stores well after harvest when kept in cool conditions.
Growing Instructions
- Sow directly into well-prepared soil—carrots do not transplant well.
- Sow thinly in rows 25–30 cm apart, covering lightly with fine soil.
- Thin seedlings to 5–7 cm apart once established.
- Keep soil consistently moist for best germination and root development.
- Avoid fresh manure or high-nitrogen fertilisers, which can cause forking.
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Cool-season biennial, grown as an annual. Smooth, sweet orange roots.
Sowing Information:
- Germination: 10 – 20 days
- Depth: Sow seeds 0.5 – 1 cm deep
- Position: Full sun
- Sow Where: Direct in garden beds
- Soil Type: Loose, sandy, stone-free soil with compost
- Spacing: 5 – 7 cm between plants; 25 – 30 cm between rows
When to Sow Carrots in New Zealand:
| NZ Region | Sowing Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Island – Upper (e.g. Auckland, Northland) | Autumn through early spring | Avoid peak summer heat for best root formation |
| North Island – Lower (e.g. Wellington, Waikato) | Year-round, except mid-winter | Protect from slugs and keep soil moist |
| South Island – Northern (e.g. Nelson, Marlborough) | Spring to early autumn | Best grown in frost-free months |
| South Island – Central & Southern (e.g. Canterbury, Otago) | Spring to mid-summer | Delay sowing until frosts have passed |
Growing Tips for New Zealand Gardeners:
- Sow successively every 3–4 weeks for a continuous harvest.
- Water evenly to avoid cracked or woody roots.
- Mulch lightly to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
- Thin carefully to avoid disturbing roots of nearby seedlings.
Harvest:
Harvest Nantes carrots when roots are 15–20 cm long and brightly coloured. Pull gently from loose soil, or use a fork to lift in heavier soils. Carrots can be stored in the fridge or a cool, damp box of sand for several weeks.
