Carrots
Seed # 148
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 148
- Seed Name
- Carrots
- Variety
- Denver Half Long
- Category
- Vegetable
- Plant Family
- Apiaceae
- Plant Type
- Danvers-type carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Apr 1
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Aug 15
- Plantable Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- Apr 1 – Aug 15
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 12–18 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 70 days
- Succession Planting
- 21 days
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 50-75°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/8 in
- Plant Spacing
- 2-3 in
- Row Spacing
- 12-18 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 2-3 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Keep the upper soil consistently moist during germination; thereafter provide even moisture for uniform roots
- Soil Preference
- Deep, loose, stone-free, well-drained soil; Danvers types are more tolerant of heavier soils than many long carrots
- Minimum Container Size
- 10-12 in deep
- Plant Height
- Not recorded
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Biennial
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- No
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Lettuce | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Onion | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Peas | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Carrot | Avoid | Not recorded |
| Carrots | Avoid | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- Annie's Heirloom Seeds; Gurney's; Baker Creek
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow only; carrots do not transplant well. Sow shallowly and keep surface evenly moist until germination.
Original Start Planting Date: Apr 1 or as soon as soil can be prepared
Original Last Suggested Planting Date: ~Jul 25 for full fall crop
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Direct sow ~Apr 1 – Jul 25. Later sowings may still produce baby carrots but have less time to size up.
Days to Harvest / Bloom: ~65–75 days
Container Friendly: Yes; ~10–12+ in deep container with loose soil
Pollinator Friendly: Low normally; second-year flowers attract beneficial insects
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary/nutritious root
Perennial?: Biennial botanically; grown as annual vegetable
Succession / Reusable Notes: Sow every 2–3 weeks from early spring through late Jul for repeated harvests.
Zone 6B Notes: Excellent spring/fall root crop for Zone 6B; light frost can improve sweetness. NOTE: established cultivar name is 'Danvers Half Long'; 'Denver Half Long' appears to be a packet/database typo.
Companion Plants: Peas, lettuce, onions/leeks, radishes, low crops that do not heavily shade carrot rows
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Avoid compacted/rocky soil and fresh manure; both can cause forked roots. Avoid flowering dill immediately beside flowering carrots. Do not transplant.
Sources: Annie's Heirloom Seeds: https://anniesheirloomseeds.com/products/danvers-half-long-carrot-daucus-carota | Gurney's: https://www.gurneys.com/products/danvers_half_long_carrot | Baker Creek: https://www.rareseeds.com/carrot-danvers-126-half-long
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Zone 6B: Direct sow in cool spring soil and succession sow through spring. A midsummer sowing can produce a fall storage crop.
Germination: Carrot seed must remain consistently moist during the relatively long germination period.
Harvest: Harvest when the shoulders reach useful size. Danvers-type roots are tapered and perform relatively well in heavier soil.
Seed Saving: Carrots are biennial and cross readily with other Daucus carota, including wild Queen Anne's lace.
Special Care: The supplied packet says 'Denver Half Long.' The documented historic carrot is 'Danvers Half Long,' and Danvers 126 Half Long is the widely sold improved strain. The supplied variety spelling is preserved, but horticultural data are based on the documented Danvers Half Long type.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/carrot-danvers-126-half-long — Danvers 126 Half Long identity, 70-day maturity, 12-18 day germination, 1/8-inch depth, 2-3 inch thinning, 50-75°F soil temperature and frost hardiness
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/blog/post/our-favorite-heirlooms-for-the-thanksgiving-table — historic Danvers Half Long origin and adaptation to heavier clay soil
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