Skip to product information
Seed | Danvers Carrot
  • Seed | Danvers Carrot
Seed | Danvers Carrot

Seed | Danvers Carrot

$3.99 CAD
Format

Quantity

Danvers carrot seeds are a hardy variety known for its conical shape and exceptionally sweet flavor. Ideal for heavy soils, this carrot offers excellent yields and long shelf life.
A LITTLE HISTORY

Daucus carota, commonly known as carrot, is a plant with a history dating back over 5,000 years, with its origins traced to Asia, specifically in what is now Afghanistan. The first carrots discovered differed considerably from the cultivated varieties we know today.

  • Origins of the Carrot
    The wild carrot, Daucus carota, began as a small-rooted, green-leaved plant. Over time, selective breeding by farmers encouraged the development of fleshier, sweeter roots suitable for human consumption. This transformation occurred over several millennia, primarily in Asia and Europe, where the carrot became a staple food valued for its culinary versatility and health benefits.

 

  • Carrot Danvers: An American Legacy
    The Danvers carrot represents a robust heritage of the 19th-century American garden. Grown primarily in Danvers, Massachusetts, in the 1870s, this variety was specifically bred for its ability to thrive in the harsh, cold soils of the northeastern United States. Unlike the heavier, rocky soils that challenged many other carrot varieties, Danvers carrots successfully produced 6- to 7-inch-long roots, prized for their sweetness and bold flavor.

 

  • Adaptability and Cultivation
    The Danvers carrot is prized not only for its flavor but also for its ability to adapt to a variety of growing conditions. This makes it a popular choice for home gardeners and farmers looking to grow carrots in less favorable environments. Its robust resilience and ability to thrive even in difficult soils have contributed to its continued popularity among heirloom varieties grown in the United States.

Thus, the Danvers carrot represents a remarkable example of plant adaptability throughout agricultural history, with its sweet roots and resilience to varied growing conditions. Originally bred to meet the specific climatic and environmental challenges of the American Northeast, it continues to be valued today for its distinctive taste and historical value in American horticulture.
PROPERTIES

Carrots are a veritable powerhouse of essential nutrients. Here's what's in a half cup of raw carrots:

  • Vitamin A: Carrots provide up to 73% of your daily vitamin A needs. This vitamin is crucial for eye health, cell growth, and supports the immune system.
  • Vitamin K: They provide about 9% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin K, which is needed for blood clotting and bone health.
  • Potassium and Fiber: A half cup of raw carrots contains about 8% of your daily potassium intake, which is important for muscle and nerve function, as well as 8% of your daily fiber intake, which is beneficial for digestion.
  • Vitamin C: They provide about 5% of your daily intake of vitamin C, which is essential for the immune system, skin health and wound healing.
  • Calcium and Iron: They also contain about 2% of your recommended daily intake of calcium and iron, which are important for bone health and red blood cell production.

Health Benefits of Carrots

  • For Vision: Carrots are known for their ability to improve eye health due to their high content of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Beta-carotene helps maintain good vision and may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
  • Antioxidants: Carrots are rich in antioxidants, including carotenoids (like beta-carotene) and anthocyanins. These compounds help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer.
  • Variety of Colors: Orange and yellow carrots owe their colors to the different carotenoids they contain, while reddish and purple varieties are rich in anthocyanins. Each pigment offers its own health benefits, enhancing the antioxidant properties of carrots.

In conclusion, incorporating raw carrots into your daily diet provides a multitude of essential nutrients and health benefits, from eye protection to reducing the risk of serious diseases thanks to their powerful antioxidants. It's a great way to take care of your body while enjoying a delicious snack or side dish.
HOW TO COOK?

Carrots offer a wide variety of culinary possibilities, whether raw or cooked. Here are some ideas:

  • Floods:
  • Grated: Grated carrots are a classic, often used in salads or as a garnish.
  • Smoothies: Add raw carrots to your smoothies for a dose of nutrients and a slightly sweet flavor.
  • Lacto-fermentation: Carrots can be lacto-fermented to create delicious and nutritious pickles.
  • Cooked:
  • Vegetable Dish: Carrots are delicious cooked in a vegetable dish, whether sautéed, oven-roasted, or steamed.
  • Soup: They are excellent in soups and stews, providing a soft texture and a naturally sweet flavor.
  • Accompaniment: As an accompaniment to meat or fish, carrots add color and flavor to your meals.

Preserve Nutrients:

  • Avoid overcooking carrots to preserve their nutrients. Quick steaming or boiling is often preferable.
  • Seasoning: Carrots are delicious with butter, olive oil, honey, herbs like parsley or thyme, and spices like cumin or paprika.
  • Creative Use: Add cooked or raw carrots to pasta dishes, curries, gratins, or sauces for a sweet and crunchy touch.

By exploring these preparation methods, you can discover the versatility and delicacy of carrots, whether as a main dish, a side dish, or as an ingredient in various recipes.

Enjoy your food !
HOW TO GROW?
  • Staggered Harvesting: By using consecutive plantings, you can extend the harvest period and have fresh carrots available throughout the winter season.
  • Practical: This method allows you to harvest carrots as needed, avoiding waste and ensuring optimal freshness.

Our seeds are vigorous, open-pollinated and adapted to the Quebec climate.

  • Species: Daucus carota var. sativus; Biennial
  • Sowing in open ground: Beginning of mid or end of May in rows, but to have carrots in open ground in winter too.
    You should sow from the first and second weeks of July to have harvests late in the fall
    I guarantee you will have the best winter carrots, which you will pick from December until March and are as sweet as you want :)
    A little tip for growing: broadcast your seeds in rows and leave 15cm between rows. When the leaves have grown about 3cm, remove any plants that are too close together to get larger, more uniform carrots.
  • Sowing depth: 0.5 cm
  • Germination time 7-11 days
  • Soil: Poor, humus-rich, loose and well-drained
  • Location: Sun and tolerates shade and cold very well
  • Spacing between plants: 4-6 cm
  • Height at maturity: 15-20 cm / 10-15 cm root
  • Maturity: 65-70 days
  • Seeds per envelope: +/- 200
    Our seeds are guaranteed for the year of purchase.

You may also like