How to Plant, Grow, and Care for ‘Danvers’ Carrots

‘Danvers’ carrots are lovely, deep orange carrots that are beginner-friendly. They’re one of my favorites to grow because of their rich flavor, sweetness, and easy-to-grow nature. They’ll thrive in just about any soil type. 

These carrots were developed for their attractive orange color, shape, and productivity. They’re some of the most beloved carrot varieties grown in the US. They’re especially well adapted to warm regions with hot summers. If you live in places such as Southern California, you’ll want to add ‘Danvers’ to your spring gardening list. 

In this article, plant expert Matt Dursum covers how to plant, grow, and care for these mouth-watering root vegetables. With minimal effort, you can have a big, beautiful harvest in your garden this year. 

Danvers 126 Carrot Seeds

• Developed for Improved Color and Yield
• Ideal for Heavy Soils and Interplanting
• Heat-Tolerant with High Yields
• Naturally Sweet Flavor
• Crack and Split Resistant

View at Epicgardening.com

‘Danvers’ Carrot Overview

Plant Type Biennial, Grown as an Annual Family Apiaceae Genus Daucus Species Daucus carota var. sativus	Native Area Africa, Eurasia Exposure Full sun Height Up to 12” Watering Requirements Moderate, even moisture	Pests & Diseases Aster yellows, blight, rot, mold, root knot nematodes, root maggots Maintenance Low Soil Type Well-drained, loose soil Hardiness Zone 2-11

What Is It?

‘Danvers’ carrots are lovely carrots with a deep orange color and moderate root size. They contain plenty of moisture and sweetness, with a distinctive carrot flavor. They’re some of the easiest root vegetables you can grow, especially in bright, sunny areas with hot summers. 

Characteristics

These varieties grow to be around 1 foot tall when mature. Their roots can reach up to 7 inches long. They have a beautiful orange color, with good thickness and a wider top and a narrow, tapered root tip. 

They thrive in areas with full sun and tolerate heat and frost. They can survive in a variety of climates and soil types. They’ll even grow well in compacted soils, unlike other carrot varieties. However, the roots can get pithy when grown in hot summers.

They produce edible foliage that’s delicious in salads, soups, and pesto sauces. If left to bloom, they produce clustered white flowers. When they bloom, they’ll attract beneficial pollinators such as parasitic wasps, soldier beetles, and bees. 

These root vegetables are extremely high in vitamin A, fiber, and other nutrients. They contain roughly 6 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of sugar or more. 

Native Area

Carrots originally come from Asia, where they were hybridized from wild carrots and wild Mediterranean carrot subspecies. In the 16th century, Dutch horticulturists bred the first bright orange carrots we know and love today. 

In the 17th century, Europeans brought carrots to the Americas. Soon, people started growing them throughout the colonies of North America. In the 60s and 70s, carrots became part of the staple American diet. They were also one of the most important additions to the Victory Gardens during WWI and WWII. 

In the late 19th century, horticulturists in Danvers, Massachusetts, developed the first ‘Danvers’ varieties. They were developed to be a highly productive, sweet, and easy-to-grow variety. Today, you can find them sold in grocery stores and farmers’ markets throughout the US. You can find their seeds online and in many nurseries and garden supply stores. 

Planting

Planting ‘Danvers’ carrots is incredibly easy. All you need are seeds, good soil, and a location with full sun. They’ll thrive in many climates throughout the US with very little maintenance. 

Transplanting

Because of their long taproot, it’s best not to transplant any variety of carrot. Sow them directly in the ground outdoors or in containers like these for the best results. If you transplant your carrots, they will usually struggle. 

Growing From Seed

Start with healthy ‘Danvers’ carrot seeds that are less than a year old. Sow them outside in well-drained soil around 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date. Check the Old Farmer’s Almanac website to get your average last frost date. 

Wait until the soil temperature is at least 45°F (7°C) before sowing. Plant the seeds at a depth of ¼ inch. Space the seeds out by around 1 inch. Rows should be spaced 6 inches apart. Gently cover the seeds with loose soil and water well until the soil is moist. 

Continue watering only until the soil is moist. Once your seeds are around an inch high, you can thin them to 1 plant every 3 inches. 

To make the most out of your seeds and enjoy bountiful harvests throughout the year, try successive planting of your seeds. This is the process of staggering your planting every 3 or 4 weeks throughout the milder growing seasons. You’ll end up with bunches of carrots well into fall or winter in mild climates. 

How to Grow

These crops are incredibly easy to grow and maintain. Once they get established in your soil, you’ll have very few problems getting them to thrive. Below are some tips on how to get your carrots to grow beautifully in your garden. 

Light

While some carrot varieties can tolerate some shade, ‘Danvers’ prefer full sun. Plant them in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. They can tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hot regions. 

They will have trouble growing in complete shade or away from direct sunlight. Avoid planting them near sunflowers and other tall plants. 

Water

Provide enough water so the soil stays moist throughout the growing season. Avoid overwatering your carrots or they’ll start to fork and lose their shape. Overwatered plants will also be more prone to diseases such as root rot. 

These carrot varieties respond well to drip irrigation and hose systems. They love to be evenly watered. Watering them infrequently or letting them dry can harm their structure and growth. 

Soil

Plant your carrots in well-drained, loose soil. Amend your soil with organic material, such as organic compost. The more sand in your mixture, the better. 

Grow these carrots in tall raised beds. Their roots need plenty of space to grow. Beds such as these by Birdies Beds work incredibly well for these varieties. 

After planting, add a good amount of mulch around your plants once they start to grow. This will help retain moisture in the soil. It also protects the ecosystem of microbes and beneficial insects in your garden beds. 

Temperature and Humidity

These carrots can handle heat and cold extremes once they’re established. In mild climates, you can get them to grow even with mild freezes. 

Plant them once the soil temperature reaches 45°F (7°C) or higher. Unlike some other carrot varieties, ‘Danvers’ can withstand periods of high heat, over 80°F (27°C). This makes them ideal for warm growing environments such as Southern California and Florida. However, for all carrots, it’s best to grow them in milder seasons.

Fertilizing

In the spring and fall, amend your soil with organic compost. You can also amend the soil with a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as this one once your carrots are over 4 inches tall. 

After you apply the fertilizer, give the soil plenty of water. This will help the plant food soak into the ground around the roots. Never add fertilizer directly to your plants, or you may see signs of fertilizer burn. 

Follow the instructions on your fertilizer packet. Avoid over-fertilizing your plants. Too much nutrition can damage your harvests. 

Maintenance

Once planted, these varieties are easy to maintain. Even if you’re a beginning gardener with no experience at all, you’ll be able to get them to thrive. 

The biggest task in maintaining your carrots will be removing weeds from their beds. Weeds will compete with your plants for nutrients and water. To help keep weeds down, mulch around your mature plants to cut the supply of sunlight to the weeds. 

If your carrots outgrow their soil and start rising above the soil line, cover them with soil. Keep the roots under the soil to maintain the carrot’s color. 

Propagation

There are several ways to propagate your carrots. The easiest way is to let your plants go to seed. Once they flower and produce seed heads, let them dry on the plant. Clip them off and rub the seed heads gently over a plate or paper towel to release the seeds. Store them in an envelope in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant them. 

You can also save the carrot heads after harvesting. Place the cuttings in a dish of water or above a moist paper towel. Keep adding water to the tray or paper towel. Soon, your carrot will start developing thin roots and new growth. Plant the new plant in well-drained soil. 

You won’t get harvestable carrot roots from plants started this way. However, you can let them go to seed and grow healthy plants from their seeds. 

Harvesting and Storage

Harvest your carrots whenever they’re mature. You can harvest them when they’re young or let them grow to over 6 inches. I love harvesting young carrots and saving their greens for salads, soups, and sauces. 

Before harvesting, moisten the soil or wait until a heavy rain. Try pulling your carrots gently by their foliage. You can also try to use a garden fork to remove them. If the soil is moist, they should come right out with a little tug. 

Once you’ve harvested them, they’ll last in your refrigerator for several weeks in plastic bags. You can also store them in the freezer or pickle them for longer storage and exciting flavors. Use a mixture of vinegar, hot water, salt, herbs, and spices. Place your cut carrots in a jar, fill it with your brine, and store it away in the refrigerator. 

Common Problems

‘Danvers’ carrots rarely have major growing issues. As long as you cultivate them in good soil and keep a healthy garden ecosystem, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. 

The most common problem when growing carrots is sunburn. This is when the carrot tops push above the soil line and expose themselves to the sun. This causes a strange flavor and greening top, which becomes hard and unappetizing. 

Pests

Watch out for leafhoppers, which can cause the deadly disease Aster Yellows. Leaf hoppers will infest the leaves of your plants and feed on the plant’s water and sap. If you notice hairy and weak roots and yellowing leaves, remove the infected plants immediately. Mulching and keeping beneficial insects in your garden can help prevent leaf hoppers from infesting your plants. 

Other pests to watch out for on your carrots are root maggots. These small maggots can burrow into the roots and cause a lot of damage to the plant tissue. They’ll create small holes in your carrots, leading to yellowing and wilting foliage. These insects are especially active in damp and cold conditions. 

In areas where carrots are planted repeatedly, the chance of attracting root knot nematodes is higher. These underground pests render carrot roots inedible and cause nodules to form on the carrots themselves. Rotate your crops to prevent this issue.

Diseases

These varieties can succumb to several diseases. If you see small, yellow leaf spots on the foliage, it could be bacterial leaf blight. Once the infection progresses, you’ll see curled leaves, and eventually, yellowish brown to black growth may occur. 

Black root rot is another disease that commonly attacks carrots. This happens when fungi attack the roots when the soil is too moist. You’ll see large, brown to black growths on the roots, which can later turn the roots rotten. 

White mold can also cause problems with your crops. During the late summer and early fall, molds can develop on roots. The best way to prevent this disease is to rotate your carrot crops each season, ensure they are spaced properly, and till your soil after every harvest.  

Alternaria leaf blight is another disease to watch out for. This disease causes greenish to brown watery lesions to form on the leaves. This blight will eventually cause the leaves to die, which can kill your plants. The best control here is prevention. Dip your seeds in hot water before planting or source them from a reputable company to ensure they are disease-free.

Always avoid watering your plants from the top and use drip irrigation whenever possible. Keep your plants spaced apart to provide adequate aeration. This will prevent moisture buildup in the foliage and stop harmful diseases from forming. Crop rotation is one of the most important tools for preventing many pests and diseases as well.