Daucus carota 'Paris Market'
vegetableParis Market is a 19th-century French heirloom carrot that grows in small round golf-ball shapes rather than the long taproot of typical varieties. The bite-sized roots reach about 2 inches across, taste deliciously sweet and tender, and thrive in containers or shallow rocky soils where regular carrots will not size up.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 2 days
Harvest
~55 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
Spacing
2 in in row, 8-10 in between rows
Planting Depth
1/4 in
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
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
Sow seeds directly in early spring, 4 weeks before the last frost, and again in late summer for a fall crop. Sow 1/4 in deep and keep moist until germination (10 to 21 days). Because Paris Market only needs 4 to 6 in of soil depth, it works beautifully in window boxes, 8 in pots, or shallow raised beds. Thin to 2 in apart for best size. Matures fast at 50 to 70 days.
spring planting
Direct sow
Apr 1
Projected first harvest
May 26
fall planting
Direct sow
Sep 1
Projected first harvest
Oct 26
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 with floating row cover from sowing to harvest; intercrop with onions
Rotate carrots out for 3 years; remove tops in fall
Control leafhopper vectors with row cover; remove distorted-leaf plants
Keep soil moisture even; do not let beds dry then flood
Paris Market is ready 50 to 70 days from sowing, when the round shoulders reach 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Pull by the tops in loose soil, or dig with a hand fork. Eat whole as a salad garnish, glaze with butter, or pickle. The flavor is exceptionally sweet and concentrated. Refrigerate trimmed in a perforated bag for up to 4 weeks.
About 41 calories per 100 g with 2.8 g fiber, 5.9 mg vitamin C, 320 mg potassium, and 16,706 IU of vitamin A from beta-carotene. The small round shape allows fast roasting at high heat, which concentrates the natural sugars and brings out caramelized flavor.
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