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Organic 'Chantenay Big Ugly' Carrot

Name: Organic 'Chantenay Big Ugly' Carrot
Brand: Biologiquement vôtre
SKU: BIOV-SEMENCES
Price: 4.49 CAD
Availability: InStock

Common name Chantenay Big Ugly Carrot

Latin name Daucus carota subsp. sativus ‘Chantenay Big Ugly’

Quantity per packet Around 250 seeds

Organic Chantenay Big Ugly produces dense, sweet roots that retain their excellent flavor for months after harvest. Its adaptability ensures dependable crops under a wide range of growing conditions.

Product information

Product
identification

Common nameChantenay Big Ugly Carrot

Latin nameDaucus carota subsp. sativus ‘Chantenay Big Ugly’

FamilyApiaceae

TypeVegetable

CycleBiennial

Quantity per packAround 250 seeds

Code produitBIOVO-0016

Product
description

Organic Chantenay Big Ugly Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus ‘Chantenay Big Ugly’) is a robust heirloom variety known for its short, thick roots with broad shoulders. Its rustic, generous shape recalls old-fashioned kitchen gardens, where reliable, flavorful vegetables adapted to variable conditions were highly valued. It produces bright orange roots with dense, sweet, aromatic flesh, excellent for autumn harvests and storage. Its fine dark green foliage adds light texture to the vegetable garden. Productive and full of character, this organic carrot delivers honest, abundant harvests with outstanding flavor.

Easy to grow, Organic Chantenay Big Ugly Carrot prefers full sun to light partial shade and loose, well-drained soil worked to a moderate depth. Thanks to its stout roots, it tolerates heavier or shallower soils better than many long carrot varieties. Direct sow from April through June, keeping the soil evenly moist until germination. Regular watering throughout the season encourages tender roots and helps prevent fibrous texture. Thinning young seedlings and careful weeding allow the roots to develop fully, making this variety especially well suited to organic vegetable gardens in Canada.

Ideal for family vegetable gardens, edible landscapes, raised beds, and areas with shallower soil, Organic Chantenay Big Ugly Carrot is perfect for comforting, flavorful cooking. Its dense flesh is excellent roasted, braised, slow-cooked, added to soups, or eaten fresh. It pairs well with Rosemary and Sage, which help create a balanced vegetable garden. If a few plants are left into their second year, their white umbels attract hoverflies, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Its hardiness, storage quality, and rich flavor make it a valuable variety for extending seasonal harvests.

Sowing
guide

Sowing periodApril to June

Best time

April to June

Sowing depth0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 in)

Germination temperature10 to 24 °C (50 to 75 °F)

Germination time10 to 20 days

Propagation

Propagated by seed. Plants left in the ground through their second year produce umbels that yield viable seed for future sowings.

Growing
method

Direct sow from April through June in loose, well-drained soil. Cover the seeds lightly with 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 in) of fine soil and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Plant in full sun to light partial shade for uniform root development. Thin seedlings as needed to allow the roots to size up properly. Water regularly throughout the season to prevent fibrous roots. Although slower to mature than many varieties, this heirloom rewards gardeners with abundant, flavorful harvests.

Soil
and care

ExposureFull sun to partial shade

Soil

Loose, well-drained soil of moderate depth. This variety performs exceptionally well in heavier soils where long carrot varieties often struggle.

Soil pHSlightly acidic to neutral

Watering

Carrots prefer cool soil and regular watering to produce tender, well-shaped roots. Extended dry periods may reduce harvest quality.

Fertilization

Incorporate well-rotted compost before sowing to improve soil structure and encourage strong root development. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which stimulates foliage growth rather than root production.

Care levelEasy

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season to encourage high-quality roots. Thin seedlings to reduce competition and weed carefully to avoid damaging developing carrots. Apply a light mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Harvest at full maturity for the richest flavor and best storage quality.

Container
growing

Recommended pot size

30 cm (12 in)

Organic Chantenay Big Ugly Carrot grows easily in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and deep containers. Its short, broad roots are especially well suited to heavier or shallower soils where long carrots are more difficult to grow. Its vigorous growth and reliable performance make it an excellent choice for Canadian home gardens.

Bloom,
harvest
and garden

Its short, broad, exceptionally flavorful roots perform remarkably well in challenging soils. This heirloom variety also offers outstanding storage quality and dependable harvests.

Organic Chantenay Big Ugly produces dense, sweet roots that retain their excellent flavor for months after harvest. Its adaptability ensures dependable crops under a wide range of growing conditions.

Garden use

Organic Chantenay Big Ugly Carrot is ideal for vegetable gardens, kitchen gardens, and raised beds. Its ability to thrive in shallower or heavier soils produces dependable harvests where longer carrots may struggle. This heirloom variety combines rugged adaptability, excellent flavor, and outstanding storage, making it a valuable addition to organic home gardens.

Bloom period

Flowering occurs during the second year when roots are left for seed production. The white umbels attract a wide range of pollinators and beneficial insects.

Flower colorWhite

Foliage colorDark green

Harvest

105 days after sowing

Fruiting

Not applicable

Wildlife appealBeneficial insects

Size
and facts

Height20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in)

Spread5 cm (2 in)

Growth rateModerate

Minimum temperature-10°C (14°F)

Foliage typeDeciduous

Planting
partners

Good companions

Rosemary, Sage

Avoid planting with

Dill, Parsnip

Recipe
and inspiration

Chantenay Big Ugly Carrots are prized for their dense, sweet, richly flavored flesh. They are perfect for roasting, braising, soups, stews, and fresh eating. Their excellent texture holds up well during cooking, while their outstanding storage quality allows you to enjoy the harvest long after the growing season. Fully mature roots develop especially rich flavor.

Frequently asked questions

Why choose Organic Chantenay Big Ugly Carrot? +

This heirloom variety produces short, broad roots that perform especially well in heavier or shallower soils. It also offers rich flavor and excellent storage quality.

Is Chantenay Big Ugly suitable for clay soils? +

Yes. Its short, thick roots tolerate heavier soils much better than many long carrot varieties, making it an excellent choice where soil depth is limited.

When should I harvest Chantenay Big Ugly Carrots? +

Roots typically reach full maturity about 105 days after sowing. Leaving them in the ground a little longer can further enhance their sweet flavor.

Does this variety store well? +

Yes. Chantenay Big Ugly stores exceptionally well in a cool, humid location and remains crisp and flavorful for several months.

Can I save the seeds? +

Yes. As an open-pollinated heirloom variety, plants left to flower during their second year will produce seeds that can be collected and saved for future crops.

The availability of our seeds varies depending on seasonal availability, production schedules and supplier inventory. Certain varieties may only be offered for a limited time based on their natural growth cycle, sowing period or available stock. These product pages are designed to help and inspire gardeners in choosing the right seeds for vegetable gardens, flower beds, pollinator gardens, container growing, naturalization projects and sustainable outdoor spaces.