How to Grow Concerto Carrot
Wikimedia Commons
Concerto Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
vegetableConcerto is a hybrid carrot variety known for its smooth, uniform, cylindrical roots and excellent flavor. It produces medium-length carrots (7-8 inches) that are ideal for fresh eating, storage, and processing. This variety is prized by both home gardeners and commercial growers for its consistency and reliability.
When should you plant Concerto Carrot in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Concerto Carrot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Concerto Carrot
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Concerto Carrot
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Concerto Carrot dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; best in zones 4-8 for consistent yields
Sign up free to see if Concerto Carrot grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Concerto Carrot timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout in 7-14 days, developing fine feathery foliage. Seedlings are delicate with thread-like leaves.
Keep soil consistently moist until germination. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they reach 2 inches tall. Use proper thinning to prevent overcrowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksFoliage develops into feathery, fern-like leaves above ground. Root development accelerates underground with orange color beginning to show.
Maintain consistent moisture. Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Thin further if needed. Keep weed-free to reduce competition.
Root Development & Expansion
3-4 weeksRoots thicken and lengthen, developing the characteristic smooth, cylindrical shape. Foliage becomes fuller and more robust.
Maintain steady watering schedule. Ensure loose soil to allow roots to expand without deformation. Monitor for pest activity. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers.
Maturation
1-2 weeksRoots reach full 7-8 inch length with uniform diameter. Shoulders (top portion) may emerge above soil surface with slight greening.
Reduce watering slightly if soil is very wet. Hill soil around emerging shoulders if greening occurs. Begin harvesting when roots reach desired size.
Harvest
Harvest window typically 1-3 weeksCarrots are firm, sweet, and fully colored. Ready for immediate use or storage.
Harvest by gently pulling or loosening soil first with a fork. Harvest in cool morning hours for best flavor. Store in cool, moist conditions.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use floating row covers, intercrop with onions or garlic, apply neem oil, practice crop rotation, maintain soil moisture
-
Remove plant debris, use row covers on young plants, apply insecticidal soap, rotate crops, harvest early
-
Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs, apply neem oil
-
Practice crop rotation, use resistant varieties if available, improve soil drainage, apply beneficial nematodes
-
and
Remove debris for hiding places, use copper tape barriers, encourage natural predators, handpick at night
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryConcerto carrots are excellent for fresh eating, slicing into salads, roasting, steaming, and adding to soups and stews. Their smooth texture and sweet flavor make them a versatile kitchen staple. [source]
Juicing and processing
CulinaryThe uniform size and sweet flavor make Concerto carrots ideal for home juicing and commercial processing into carrot juice, baby food, and purees. [source]
Nutritional health benefits
MedicinalRich in beta-carotene (converted to vitamin A), fiber, and antioxidants, carrots support eye health, immune function, and digestive health. [source]
Long-term storage
HouseholdConcerto's uniform size and excellent storage quality make it perfect for winter root cellar preservation and long-term storage projects. [source]
Wildlife food
WildlifeCarrot greens provide food and habitat for beneficial insects, while the roots can be left in the ground to feed wildlife during winter months. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Concerto carrots are ready to harvest when roots are 7-8 inches long and about 0.75 inches in diameter at the shoulder. Harvest from 70-80 days after planting. For baby carrots, harvest at 50-60 days. Gently loosen soil with a garden fork before pulling to avoid breaking. Carrots can remain in the ground for several weeks after maturity in cool weather but should be harvested before hard freezes. For storage, remove foliage, brush off excess soil (don't wash), and store in cool (32-40°F), humid conditions in a plastic bag for up to 4-5 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Concerto is a hybrid variety developed specifically for uniform root shape and consistent size, making it highly reliable for home gardeners and commercial growers.
- 🌱 Carrots were originally purple, not orange; the orange color was developed in 17th-century Netherlands and became the dominant market type.
- 🌱 The feathery carrot foliage is edible and nutritious, containing more vitamins and minerals than the root itself—use it in pestos, salads, or as garnish.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Concerto Carrot planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Concerto Carrot seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Concerto Carrot timeline →