Carrot 'Chantenay'

Where to Plant
Plant Carrot 'Chantenay' in a sunny position with light, well-drained soil. Remove weeds and stones and loosen the ground before planting so the developing roots can grow without obstruction. The shorter Chantenay root shape makes it a particularly useful choice for shallower or heavier soils where longer carrots can be more prone to becoming misshapen.

Planting
Carrots have a developing taproot and need careful handling when transplanted. Plant the young plants straight into their final growing position, keeping the roots intact and avoiding bending or disturbing them. Space plants around 5–7.5cm apart, with approximately 15–30cm between rows. Gently settle the soil around them and water thoroughly.

Watering & Feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist while the plants establish. Once growing strongly, water during prolonged dry spells, giving the soil a thorough soak rather than frequent light watering. Avoid large fluctuations between very dry and very wet conditions, as this can cause developing roots to split.

Carrots don't need rich soil or heavy feeding. Avoid freshly manured ground and excessive high-nitrogen fertiliser, which can encourage leafy growth and forked or misshapen roots.

Growing in Containers
The short, chunky roots of 'Chantenay' make it particularly well suited to pots. Choose a container with good drainage and enough depth for the roots to develop comfortably. You can grow them on their own or tuck a few into a larger mixed edible container, provided each plant has enough room to develop. Keep container-grown carrots regularly watered, as pots dry out more quickly than garden soil.

Later Plantings
Plants put out later in the year will naturally develop more slowly as temperatures and daylight levels fall. Keep them weed free and make sure the soil drains well during wet weather. Mature roots can remain in well-drained soil into colder weather and be lifted as required, with protection over the soil during periods of hard frost.

Pests & Problems
Carrot fly is the main pest to watch for. Covering the crop completely with fine insect-proof mesh provides useful protection. Avoid unnecessary disturbance to the foliage and replace protection promptly after weeding or harvesting. Slugs and snails may also damage young plants, particularly during damp weather.

Good Companions
Carrot 'Chantenay' can be grown alongside crops such as lettuce, spring onions, leeks and peas. Its compact growth makes it easy to fit into mixed vegetable beds, raised beds and larger containers without taking over the space.

Make the Most of Your Space
You don't need a dedicated carrot bed to grow 'Chantenay'. Its short roots make it particularly useful for pots and raised beds, and a few plants can also be fitted into larger mixed edible containers where there's enough room for the roots to develop.

Successional Planting
Planting smaller batches at different times through the main growing season can help spread your harvest rather than giving you lots of carrots at once. Later plantings will naturally take longer to develop as temperatures and light levels fall.

Crop Rotation
Avoid repeatedly growing carrots and other members of the carrot family in exactly the same ground. Moving crops around your plot where practical can help reduce the build-up of pests and diseases.

Top Tip:
Once planted, leave the roots as undisturbed as possible. Damaging or bending the developing taproot can result in forked or misshapen carrots.

When to Harvest
Harvest 'Chantenay' once the roots have reached a useful size. Gently brush a little soil away from the shoulder of a carrot to check its width before lifting. Planting time, weather and growing conditions will all affect how quickly the roots develop, with later plantings naturally taking longer through the cooler months.

How to Harvest
If the soil is dry, watering beforehand can make the roots easier to lift. Hold the foliage close to the crown and gently pull upwards. In firm or heavy soil, loosen alongside the root with a garden fork first to avoid snapping it.

Enjoy Them Young
There's no need to wait for the biggest possible carrots. Chantenay's compact roots are particularly appealing harvested while they're sweet, crisp and tender, and smaller roots are delicious cooked and served whole.

Later Crops
Mature carrots can remain in well-drained ground into colder weather and be lifted as required. Protect the soil with straw or similar material where hard frost is expected. If your ground becomes wet or waterlogged over winter, lift mature roots rather than leaving them in the soil.

Top Tip:
Twist or cut off the leafy tops from carrots you're storing. Removing the foliage helps prevent moisture being drawn from the root after harvesting.

Flavour & Texture
'Chantenay' carrots have a wonderfully sweet flavour and satisfying crunch. Their distinctive short, chunky shape is part of their appeal, with smaller roots particularly good cooked and presented whole.

Best Enjoyed
Give them a scrub and roast them whole until sweet and caramelised, or glaze them with butter for a simple but impressive side dish. They're equally good raw for snacking and dipping, grated into salads and slaws, or added to soups, casseroles and stews.

Preparing Your Carrots
Freshly harvested Chantenay carrots need very little preparation. Give them a thorough wash and scrub and smaller roots can be cooked with the skin left on. There's no need to peel them unless you prefer to.

Storage
Remove the leafy tops before storing. Keep freshly harvested carrots in the fridge for everyday use, or store sound mature roots somewhere cool and frost free if you have a larger crop to keep.

Plug Plants & Seedlings
Our plug plants and seedlings are healthy young plants ready to grow on or plant into their final growing position, depending on the crop. Handle them carefully when planting, water thoroughly afterwards and keep the soil evenly moist while they establish.

Garden Ready Plants
Our Garden Ready plants have been professionally grown on, making them larger and more established. They're ready to plant straight into their final growing position, giving you a useful head start towards your harvest.

Upon Arrival
Remove your plants from their packaging as soon as they arrive and check the moisture level. Water if needed and plant as soon as possible. If you can't plant immediately, keep them in a sheltered position and don't allow the roots or compost to dry out.