Dragon Carrot
Daucus carota 'Dragon'
vegetableDragon is an eye-catching carrot with deep purple skin, a contrasting orange-to-yellow core, and a sweet, slightly spicy flavor that mellows when cooked. The 6 to 8 inch tapered roots hold their color best when not overcooked and add bold color to fresh and roasted dishes.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~70 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
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Spacing
2-3 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Seed 1/4-1/2 in. deep
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Soil pH
6.0-6.8
Growing Details
Soil Type
Deep, loose, sandy loam
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light feed at sowing; avoid high nitrogen
Fertilizer
Low-nitrogen; excess nitrogen forks roots
🌱 Growing Guide
Sow seed directly where it will grow, since carrots resent transplanting, barely covering it and keeping the bed evenly moist until the slow seedlings emerge in two to three weeks. Loosen deep, stone-free soil so roots grow straight, and avoid fresh manure or high nitrogen, which fork and hair the roots. Thin seedlings to about 2 inches so each root has room, and sow in succession from early spring into midsummer.
Planting Calendar
Sign in to personalize →spring planting
🌿
Direct sow
Apr 1
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Projected first harvest
Jun 10
fall planting
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Direct sow
Aug 18
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Projected first harvest
Oct 27
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Onion — Its scent helps mask carrots from the carrot rust fly
- Lettuce — A quick crop that uses the space while carrots germinate slowly
- Radish — Marks the row and breaks the soil crust for the fine carrot seedlings
❌ Keep away from
DillParsnip
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Float row cover over the bed, interplant onions, and avoid thinning at dusk when the flies are active
Encourage ladybugs and lacewings and hose off any colonies
Rotate away from recently grassy ground and keep the bed weed-free
🌾 Harvest & storage
Pull roots once they reach finger size, around 70 days; flavor sweetens after a light frost. Twist off the tops before storing so they do not draw moisture from the roots, which keep for months in damp sand or the refrigerator.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Purple carrots add anthocyanin antioxidants on top of the beta-carotene (vitamin A) and fiber of orange carrots, making them one of the more nutrient-dense roots.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.