Carrot, “Tendersweet” Seeds
This classic carrot can’t be beat! ‘Tendersweet’ is an impressively long, slender, and nearly coreless imperator-type carrot, with a super sweet flavor that’s excellent raw or cooked. Its deep orange-red color will remain after being steamed, baked, or frozen. Gather them together for a beautifully tapered orange bunch with dazzling green tops.
-600 seeds in packet.
Days to Maturity: 70-80 days
Plant Vitals
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 45°F, ideally 60°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 10 to 12 weeks before your average first fall frost date. In very warm climates, carrots are grown primarily in fall, winter, and spring.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended; root disturbance stunts growth.
Days to Emerge: 10–25 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: 1"
Row Spacing: 6"
Thinning: When 1" tall, thin 1 every to 3"
Harvesting: For best flavor and texture, harvest carrots any time before, and until they reach their optimal size. Peak harvest period lasts about 3 weeks, longer in the fall. Late summer-sown carrots are sweetened after having been kissed by light frost; however, harvest before soil freezes, which may destroy the crop. In USDA zone 5 or warmer, carrots can be left in the ground for storage provided they are heavily mulched; harvest as needed on days the ground is not frozen.
Special Care: When 1" tall, thin to 2" or 3" apart, depending on variety. Don’t pull the seedling out, as this might disturb and damage the root of the neighboring seedling; instead, cut off the seedling at ground level with scissors. If carrot crown is exposed, cover with mulch or soil to prevent "greening", which results in bitter flavor. The same location should not be sown with members of the carrot family any more than once in 3 years.