Scientific Name: Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Common Name: Carrot 'Chantenay Red Cored'

Family: Apiaceae

Origin

Carrot 'Chantenay Red Cored' is a heirloom cultivar first bred in the Chantenay region of France in the late 1800s.  It was first grown outside of France in the 1920s and reached its height of popularity with market gardeners in the 60s.  From the 1970s onward Chantenay Red Cored carrots fell out of favour as sellers sought larger but less flavoursome hybrid carrot varieties.

Culinary Uses

Chantenay Red Cored is crunchy, sweet and delicious both raw or cooked.  This versatile carrot is suitable for a wide variety of uses, it can be grated in salads, grilled, baked, steamed, canned or stir-fried.  It has a darker red-orange core which can add extra colour to dishes.  This variety keeps well and can even be stored in the ground once fully grown for a few weeks before it'll turn woody.

Growing Tips

This variety can be grown in heavier, clay-rich soils where longer carrots would be prone to forking.  Work soil well prior to planting to break up large clumps, if soil contains large quantities of small stones considering creating a raised bed with imported soil.  Do not over-fertilise carrots or root growth will be stunted, avoid rich manures.  Keep well watered or roots may become woody.

When To Sow

In tropical regions of Australia sow from March to May.  In subtropical and temperate regions of Australia sow either from September to October or from March to May.  In colder regions of Australia sow from September to October, making sure to wait until after the last chance of frost has past before sowing.

How To Sow

Sow carrot seed directly, transplanting seedlings can result in root damage which will cause forking.  Sow carrot seeds 1cm deep in rows, thinning to the strongest seedlings about 4cm apart.  Mix carrot seeds with fine sand to reduce the amount of thinning required later.

Time To Germination

Carrot 'Chantenay Red Cored' takes between 10 and 18 days to germinate from seed.

Time To Harvest

Chantenay Red Cored carrots take 9 to 11 weeks to grow to full size and be ready for harvest.