Carrot: Chantenay Karoo

Botanical Name:

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Family:

Apiaceae

Crop Type:

Root Crop

Other Names:

Carrot; Wortel (Afrikaans); uKherothi (isiZulu)

Lifecycle:

Biennial, grown as annual

Uses:

Food (fresh, cooked, juiced); processing (canning, freezing); fodder (tops and culls)

Carrot (Chantenay Karoo) is a cool-season root vegetable in the Apiaceae family. Plants produce feathery, finely divided foliage above ground, with a swollen taproot developing below.

Roots are shorter and broader than Nantes types, with rounded shoulders, blunt tips, and orange flesh. Roots are the primary edible part, consumed fresh, cooked, juiced, or processed; young leaves are occasionally used as garnish.

Cultivated in mild to cool conditions with loose, stone-free soil for uniform root development. Chantenay types, including Karoo, are noted for tolerance of heavier soils and suitability for processing and short-season production.

Climate

Climate Suitability:

Cool to mild seasons; quality best in winter to spring across most SA regions

Frost Tolerance:

Light frost tolerant

Heat Tolerance:

Moderate

Sun Type:

Full sun to partial shade

Soil

Soil Texture:

Sandy loam to loam, stone-free

Drainage Requirement:

Well-drained

Preferred pH Range:

6.0–6.8 pH

Water

Water Requirement:

Moderate

Irrigation Type:

Drip; Sprinkler; Micro Irrigation; Manual Watering

Propagation

Propagation Type:

Seed

Propagation Season:

Late summer to winter in warm regions; spring to autumn in cooler regions

Germination Days:

14–21 days

Days to Transplant:

No Data Found

Propagation Notes:

Direct sow shallowly; keep seedbed evenly moist until emergence.

Planting

Planting Season:

Autumn to spring; avoid high heat

Plants Per Square Foot:
Square Foot Method

16 per ft²

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

7.5 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

5–8 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

20–30 cm

Planting Systems

Container Suitable:

Yes

Container Notes:

Hydroponic Compatible:

Conditional

Hydroponic Systems:

Hydroponic Notes:

Aquaponic Suitable:

Conditional

Aquaponic Notes:

Companion Plants

Alliums may deter carrot rust fly; interplants well with shallow and deep-rooted companions.

No crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Competitor Plants

Dill and parsnip may increase shared pest pressure or cross-pollinate with carrot family crops.

Beetroot

Crimson Globe

Pests & Diseases

Pest Types:

Carrot Rust Fly; Aphids; Nematodes; Cutworms; Wireworms

Pest Control:

Use crop rotation, companion planting with alliums, fine mesh covers, monitoring and approved treatments where necessary.

Disease Types:

Leaf blight (Alternaria, Cercospora), Cavity spot, Sclerotinia rot, Powdery mildew

Disease Control:

Rotate crops, avoid overwatering, use clean seed, improve drainage and remove infected residues.

Harvest

Planting Season:

Autumn to spring; avoid high heat

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

7.5 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

5–8 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

20–30 cm

Nutrition

Edible Parts:

Roots

Reference Food State:

Raw carrot

Serving Size:

100 g

Nutrition Basis:

Per 100 g raw edible portion

Energy

Calories (kcal):

41 kcal

Calories (kj):

171 kj

Macronutrients

Total Carbohydrates:

9.58 g

Protein:

0.93 g

Total Fat:

0.24 g

Carbohydrates

Dietary Fibre:

2.8 g

Starch:

1.43 g

Total Sugars:

4.74 g

Fats

Monounsaturated Fat:

0.014 g

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

0.002 g

Omega-6 Fatty Acids:

0.115 g

Polyunsaturated Fat:

0.117 g

Saturated Fat:

0.037 g

Trans Fat:

0 g

Minerals

Calcium:

33 mg

Chromium:

0 mcg

Copper:

0.045 mg

Iron:

0.3 mg

Iodine:

0 mcg

Magnesium:

12 mg

Manganese:

0.143 mg

Molybdenum:

0 mcg

Phosphorus:

35 mg

Potassium:

320 mg

Selenium:

0.1 mcg

Sodium:

69 mg

Zinc:

0.24 mg

Vitamins

Vitamin A:

835 mcg RE

Thiamin:
Vitamin B1

0.066 mg

Riboflavin:
Vitamin B2

0.058 mg

Niacin:
Vitamin B3

0.983 mg NE

Pantothenic Acid:
Vitamin B5

0.273 mg

Vitamin B6:

0.138 mg

Biotin:
Vitamin B7

0 mcg

Folate:
Vitamin B9

19 mcg

Vitamin B12:

0 mcg

Vitamin C:

5.9 mg

Vitamin D:

0 mcg

Vitamin E:

0.66 mg alpha-tocopherol

Vitamin K:

13.2 mcg

Recipes

Rooted Futures

Growing Change