Carrot Baby Amsterdam ( Daucus carota ) is a heirloom variety of carrot that can be harvested while still immature, at as early as 8 weeks. Harvesting at this young stage does not diminish the quality of these carrots, which are crisp, juicy, sweet and delicious. This variety can of course be left to grow out to full size carrots without losing their flavour, if they are not left too long. A good variety for freezing.
Baby Amsterdam Carrots are easy to grow in any climate and have a long growing season. In temperate regions they can be grown all year round. The seeds can be sown a little closer together than larger varieties as they don’t have quite as much foliage above ground.
For information on other carrot varieties try Carrot All Seasons, Carrot Nantes Darcy or Carrot Purple Haze.
Growth
The Baby Amsterdam Carrot root can grow up to 15 cm’s in length if left to grow to their full size. The flesh is a bright orange and they have a very small core. The carrots stay quite smooth and seem less prone to cracking.
Can be grown in pots / containers and store well in cool conditions.
6 Tips on Growing Carrots
- Choose a sunny spot in the garden as carrots like some full sun, they don’t mind if the sun isn’t all day though so some light shade is fine.
- Carrots need a good quality loose, well draining soil so turn your soil over about 30 cm’s deep to loosen and aerate it. If your draining isn’t great add in some horticultural (course) sand. Don’t using bark or similar for drainage and remove any pebbles etc that are chunky because this can cause forking. Add in some organic compost or manure.
- Carrots don’t transplant well so are best sown as seed directly into the garden. If you are considering buying pre germinated seedling from your nursery – choose biodegradable pots that you can plant straight into the garden for this reason.
- Once your carrots have started to pop up you can feed them every week or two with some organic seaweed fertiliser or similar, as long as it is not high in nitrogen. High nitrogen levels will cause your carrots to spend their time getting very bushy on top but not grow a lot of actual carrot.
- Sow carrots every 4-6 weeks for a continual supply through acceptable seasons. (see germination instructions tab)
- Write the date in your diary for when you planted the seeds, this variety will usually be ready by 8-14 weeks. Harvest as you need them, carrots store well if left in the ground but start to lose their flavour around 18-20 weeks.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Apiaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 30°C / 50 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Composted, loose well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full sun – Light Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 15 cm’s (6 inches) – Root
WIDTH:
This will depend on when the carrot is harvested.
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Insects, bisexual flowers.
MATURITY:
Average 8-14 weeks
GERMINATION RATES:
92%
GERMINATION TIME:
14-21 days
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 800
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Health Benefits
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Store a 4°C (fridge) for 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT DAUCUS CAROTA (Carrot Baby Amsterdam)
Most people have heard the saying ‘eating carrots helps you see in the dark’ and while this is not exactly true, carrots are very beneficial for eye health, preventing aging eye conditions and macular degeneration. The health benefits don’t stop there though, eating carrots is good for your immune system, your skin and hair, prevent heart disease and even lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Eating too many carrots can literally turn your skin orange, you wont turn bright orange but your skin will have an orange tint.
