What are the sun requirements for Daucus carota 'Nantes'?

Daucus carota 'Nantes' is Nantes carrot, a biennial root vegetable grown as an annual, with fern-like bright green finely divided foliage 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and a cylindrical orange root 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) long with blunt rounded tips at both ends. The Nantes type is characterized by the uniform cylindrical shape — not tapered like Danvers or Imperator types. The flesh is fine-grained, sweet, and nearly coreless. Named after Nantes, France (19th century). In the carrot family (Apiaceae). The species D. carota is the same as wild carrot (Queen Anne's lace — D. carota var. carota). Direct-sow only: carrots do not transplant — the taproot forks if disturbed. Sow 2-3 weeks before last frost through midsummer. Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks. Loose sandy loam with no stones or clods for the straightest roots — heavy clay or stony soil causes forked and stunted roots. Consistent moisture during germination (10-21 days — slow and erratic). Carrot rust fly (Psila rosae) is the primary pest. Non-toxic (edible root crop). Tolerates light frost (to 25°F / -4°C) — fall carrots are sweeter after frost exposure. Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Nantes type developed in Nantes, France (19th century). The species D. carota is native to Europe and western Asia.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers of at least 2 gallons (8 L) with 12 inches (30 cm) depth. Direct-sow. Loose stone-free soil. The cylindrical Nantes shape. Succession-sow. Non-toxic. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by a cylindrical orange root 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) with blunt rounded tips at both ends (not tapered) and fern-like finely divided foliage. The blunt cylindrical shape distinguishes the Nantes type from the tapered Danvers and the long Imperator types. In Apiaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread6" - 8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Biennial: flowers in the second year if overwintered — white compound umbels. Grown as an annual for root harvest. Bolting in the first year produces a woody inedible root.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White compound umbels (flat-topped clusters) if allowed to bolt in the second year — biennial, but grown as an annual for root harvest

Foliage Description

Bright green, fern-like, finely divided (bipinnate), 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

65-75 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Loose sandy loam — no stones or clay clods (causes forking). Direct-sow only (no transplanting). Consistent moisture during germination (10-21 days). Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks. Carrot rust fly is the primary pest. Non-toxic. Annual.

Pruning

No pruning. Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) apart after germination. Do not disturb the taproot. Harvest at 65-75 days by loosening soil and pulling.