Carrot Demonstration
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As part of the cool-season vegetable crops grown in the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center (FOHC) vegetable winter demonstration garden in 2007-2008 were 14 varieties of carrots. The varieties, each with differing lengths and colors, are described below.
The carrot seeds were sown on September 8, 2007, and each variety was sown in approximately a 3-foot by 4-foot block. To aid in the germination of the seeds, the rows were covered with floating row covers (light-weight spun poly fabric) and irrigated by hand daily directly onto the row covers. Most of the seeds germinated within 10 days, so daily irrigation was no longer needed. Drip irrigation was then used to keep the new seedlings watered.
Maintenance consisted of diligently thinning the carrot seedlings to give the developing roots room to grow. After about a month, the thinnings were large enough to make a nice snack. The mild fall weather allowed the carrot plants to grow well, and harvest began in earnest in late November. In December a carrot tasting was held among the vegetable demonstration garden workers and other Master Gardeners working at the FOHC. The results of that tasting are included at the end of each carrot variety description.
Carrot Varieties Grown (listed in order of length)

Length: ½-1 inch is best, but quality is retained up to golf ball size.
Days to harvest: 65 days
Tasting comments:
Earthy (like a really mild beet); slightly sweet taste.
Crunchy, not much taste.
Good flavor, but a little bit woody.

Days to Harvest: 70 days
Tasting comments:
Sweet and very crunchy (due to high water content?)
Good flavor.
Okay with light crunch.
Length: 4 inches long
Days to Harvest: 68 days
Tasting comments:
Odd flavor (initially sweet, then a little bitter). Tall, sturdy foliage.
A little more flavor than ‘Thumbelina’ but slightly bitter aftertaste.
Okay.
Length: 5½ inches long
Days to Harvest: 75 days
Tasting comments:
Very sweet (typical carrot flavor); tall, sturdy foliage. My favorite.
Okay flavor.
Good flavor.
Length: 5-6 inches
Days to Harvest: 70 days
Tasting comments:
Typical sweet carrot.
Okay; better than ‘Red Cored Chantenay’.
Okay, nothing special.
Length: 6 inches long
Days to Harvest: 54 days
Tasting comments:
Very short foliage; crunchy and slightly sweet, but not much flavor.
Good texture; crispy, but a little woody.
Short greenery (length of roots was deceptive); bland watery flavor.
Length: 6 inches long, 1½ inches wide
Days to Harvest: 72 days
Tasting comments:
Not very flavorful; bitter.
No flavor.
Okay; slightly woody; not very flavorful.
Length: 6 inches long
Days to Harvest: 65-70 days
Tasting comments:
Very mild flavor (not great); fabulous color (only thing going for it).
Nice to look at, but not much flavor; almost watery.
Attractive, but not a lot of flavor.
Length: 6-8 inches long
Days to Harvest: 58-65 days
Tasting comments:
Very mild flavor; long, nicely-shaped roots; sturdy, tall foliage.
Mild flavor, but not unpleasant.
Interesting flavor.
Length: 7½ inches long, 2½ inches wide
Days to Harvest: 75 days
Tasting comments:
Slightly sweet flavor.
Okay.
Good, slightly sweet; dense crunch.
Length: 7-9 inches long
Days to Harvest: 70 days
Tasting comments:
Nice, slightly sweet.
Better than ‘Danvers Half Long’.
Okay, but nothing special; slightly sweet.
Length: 9 inches long, 1½ inch diameter at shoulders
Days to Harvest: 76 days
Tasting comments:
Slightly earthy flavor (cooking should help flavor); unique color.
Odd flavor; should be cooked.
Okay; a little different.
Length: 9 inches long
Days to Harvest: 71 days
Tasting comments:
Typical carrot flavor.
Okay.
Nothing special, but okay.
Length: 8-10 inches long
Days to Harvest: 74 days
Tasting comments:
Sweet and crisp.
Okay.
Nice; less sweet than ‘Danvers Half Long’
Written by UC Master Gardener Gail Pothour