Since 1929, Chantenay Red Core has been the carrot of choice for gardeners dealing with heavy soils where longer varieties would fail. This French heirloom produces sweet, stump-rooted carrots with brilliant deep red-orange centers that create stunning slices perfect for juicing or fresh eating. Growing just 5-6 inches long and thriving in zones 2-10, these sturdy roots resist splitting and forking while delivering exceptional sweetness with subtle floral notes. Ready to harvest in about 75 days, though some sources report 60-69 days depending on conditions.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Loose, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp55-75°F
Growth Stats
8 in
Height
—
Width
2 in
Spacing
75–75
Days to Harvest
PeriodBiennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
8in H x ?in W
Growth
Biennial
Care
High
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Highlights
What sets Chantenay Red Core apart is its remarkable ability to thrive in heavy clay soils that would defeat most carrots, producing perfectly shaped roots without the forking and splitting common in challenging ground. The deep red-orange core creates beautiful contrast when sliced, while the sweet flesh with floral notes makes exceptional juice that rivals any carrot variety. Introduced in 1929, this French heirloom has proven its reliability across nearly a century of cultivation.
Common Uses
Chantenay Red Core excels at fresh eating and juicing, producing sweet juice with distinctive floral notes that sets it apart from ordinary carrots. The variety shines when sliced raw for salads and crudité platters, where its brilliant red-orange core creates striking visual contrast. It performs equally well in cooking applications, maintaining its sweetness and texture in soups, roasts, and diced preparations, while its excellent storage qualities make it ideal for preserving the harvest through winter months.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or in late summer for fall harvest. Plant seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in loose, well-tilled soil with temperatures between 50-75°F. Mix small seeds with sand for easier, more even distribution.
Harvesting
Harvest when roots are 5-6 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter at the shoulder, typically 75 days after sowing though some may be ready in 60-69 days. Carrots are ready when the root crown begins to show above soil level. In sandy, well-tilled soil, carrots can be pulled by hand, while harder soils may require a hand cultivator or hori-hori knife to safely lift roots without breaking.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Daucus carota L. var. sativus Hoffm.
Family
Apiaceae
Genus
Daucus
Duration
Biennial
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (I)SPM (I)
History & Origin
“This distinguished carrot hails from the Chantenay region of France, where it was developed as an old-world favorite prized for its dense, stubby roots. Introduced to American gardeners in 1929, the variety was later refined and promoted by Ferry-Morse as an improvement with superior interior color, becoming valuable to both canners and market gardeners. The variety has maintained its reputation for nearly a century as one of the most reliable general-purpose carrots, earning recommendations from agricultural extension offices across Florida, Illinois, Oregon, and Texas.”