Nantes Carrot Seed. Also known as the Early Coreless carrot, Nantes carrot is a heirloom variety that was developed in France and were popular in the late 1800s. Nantes carrots are extremely popular for home gardening and cultivation on a small scale for farmers markets.
Nantes carrots are small to medium in size, averaging about 15-20 cm in length and 2-5 cm in diameter. The carrots are cylindrical in shape with blunt, rounded ends on both the stem and non-stem end. The straight roots have smooth, firm skin that ranges from bright orange to orange-red. Underneath the surface, the flesh is also orange, fine-grained, crisp, and juicy with little to no core. Nantes carrots are crunchy and tender with a mild, sweet taste.
Growing Nantes Carrots
Indoor Sowing: Not Recommended.
Direct Sowing: Late Winter, Early Spring, Mid Spring, Late Summer, Early Autumn and Mid Autumn.
- For a summer harvest, sow the carrot seeds outdoors 3 to 5 weeks before the last spring frost date.
- For an autumn harvest, sow the carrot seeds in late summer.
- Carrots need a location that receives full sunlight, though they can tolerate partial shade, too.
- Plant growth is optimal between temperatures of 15°C to 20°C.
- The best soil for carrots is deep sandy loam or loamy soils with a loose structure.
- If your ground soil is heavy clay or too rocky, you should consider planting carrots in a raised bed.
- Sow the carrot seed directly in the beds.
- Make small furrows 1cm deep and about 20cm to 30cm apart.
- Sow the seeds about 2cm apart in the furrows.
- Water the beds well after sowing.
- Germination takes about seven to 14 days.
- Water the carrot plants at least one inch per week, then two inches as roots mature.
- Sow carrots at 3-week intervals for a continuous harvest.







