Carrots used to be an array of colours until the 17th C. when they became standardized to the colour orange. However, in the areas of Afghanistan, the former Soviet Republic, Iran and India they have saved the older, differently coloured varieties. And it is just this example that demonstrates the value of heirlooms' broad genetic base. Modern plant breeding still has to work with DNA, so to change the colour of a carrot, they'd have to find carrots that were the desired colour and then breed them. If those old, "strangely coloured" carrot genes had not survived - our carrots would have stayed orange, and we would have been none the wiser.
SORRY, SOLD OUT FOR 2010. (60 - 74 days) From 1829. Delicious, large carrots are 5-7" long with wide shoulders and are red-orange in colour. Crisp and sweet, they are good for growing in heavy soils and sweeten even more in storage.
We've created this special mix of our purple, white, yellow and red carrots so you can sample them all. A great way to get kids interested in gardening!
NEW FOR 2010!! 70 days. A purple carrot with an orange interior and a sweet taste. The 7" roots are smooth and straight. Purple colour diffuses when cooked.
(90 days) Long ago, carrots came in a variety of colours, including purple, but over the years have become almost universally standardized to orange. This one, originally from China and refined by Dr. John Navazio, has a beautiful reddish-purple exterior, purple-hued tops and yellowish-orange interior. Sweet, almost spicy taste. Purple carrots from 2000 BC were found in Egyptian temple drawings.
(55-60 days) Did you know that the “baby carrots” that you buy at the grocery store are actually just regular-sized carrots that have been pared down? So deceitful! If you want true baby carrots, Little Finger is the one to grow. Developed in France, this carrot grows to just 3” long and ˝” wide with roots that are very tender and sweet. It grows well in heavy soils; is perfect for container gardening; can be used fresh, cooked, pickled or canned and is a good carrot for market growers.
SORRY, SOLD OUT FOR 2010 (Suggested substitute; Little Finger). 50 days. A 19th C. French heirloom, this little carrot grows into an almost perfect ball about 1.5" across. Ths smooth, orange roots are extremely early and sweet and tasty. A market favourite. Perfect for containers or heavy soils.
Originating in India and China, red carrots contain lycopene which helps prevent heart disease. Pinkish-red when harvested, they turn a deep blood-red when cooked, and become sweeter.
(70 days) Known for its sweet flavour, this heirloom produces blunt roots to 7” long. One of the best carrots for juicing. This carrot is very hardy, having overwintered for us in the ground.
Both yellow and red carrots were recorded as being cultivated by the 14th C. in southern Europe. Originally from the Middle East, this yellow carrot packs a bright yellow punch through and through - no different coloured inside. Retains it bright colour even when cooked.
