Daucus carota 'Imperator'
vegetableImperator 58 is the classic supermarket carrot: 8 to 10 inches long, slender, tapered, and deep orange, with the uniform shape that made the Imperator type the standard for commercial production. The variety needs loose deep soil to size up properly; in heavy or rocky ground the roots fork and twist.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 2 days
Harvest
~75 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
Spacing
2 in in row, 14-18 in between rows
Planting Depth
1/4 in
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Very deep, loose
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 pre-plant; side-dress at 4 weeks
Fertilizer
Balanced 5-10-10 pre-plant; avoid high-nitrogen which causes forking
Sow seeds directly in early spring, 4 weeks before the last frost, and again in late summer for a fall crop. Imperator needs deep loose loamy soil free of stones; double-dig or use a raised bed with sand and compost mixed in. Sow seeds 1/4 in deep, lightly cover, and keep the surface moist until germination (10 to 21 days). Thin ruthlessly to 2 in apart; crowded carrots stay small and twist around each other.
spring planting
Direct sow
Apr 1
Projected first harvest
Jun 15
fall planting
Direct sow
Aug 11
Projected first harvest
Oct 25
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cover the bed with floating row cover from sowing until harvest; intercrop with onions or leeks
Rotate carrots out of the bed for 3 years; remove and destroy carrot tops in fall
Control leafhopper vectors with row cover; remove and destroy infected plants showing yellow distorted leaves
Loosen soil to 12 in deep and remove all stones; avoid fresh manure which causes forking
Imperator matures in 65 to 80 days. Harvest when the shoulders reach 3/4 inch in diameter at the soil line. In loose soil, loosen with a fork first, then pull by the foliage; in heavier soil, dig with a fork to avoid snapping the long taproot. Twist off the tops within hours to prevent them from drawing moisture from the root. Refrigerate in perforated bags for up to 6 weeks.
About 41 calories per 100 g with 2.8 g fiber, 5.9 mg vitamin C, 320 mg potassium, and an extraordinary 16,706 IU of vitamin A from beta-carotene (over 300 percent of daily value). The Imperator type is also rich in alpha-carotene and lutein.
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.
spring planting
fall planting