Days to Maturity: 70 to 80
Danvers 126 Half Long Carrot is grown as a root vegetable. An improvement on the original Danvers Half Long variety, it has a sweeter flavor, better crack resistance, and heavier yields. The plant sets carrots that have a uniform size and shape, a fine grain, and a deep orange cortex and core without a halo. The broad shoulders taper to slightly stumped ends. The roots grow to about 7 to 8 inches long with an approximately 2-inch diameter. Carrots are considered a superfood for its nutrient rich content, having high (top 20) Aggregate Nutrient Density Index score (ANDI), or micronutrient-per-calorie density. Higher in vitamins A and B than their store-bought counterparts, homegrown carrots are also rich in calcium and phosphorus.
Danvers 126 Half Long, a biennial herbaceous plant, is a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae). It completes its life cycle in 2 years, producing tiny white flowers the second year if plants are not harvested the first year. A true proven performer, it is heat resistant and sets heavy yields.
A heavy-soil hero, growing where others won't grow, Danvers 126 Half Long is highly adaptable and grows easily in a wide range of climates and soils. The plant prefers full sun but tolerates light, dappled shade. It requires consistent moisture and grows best in deep, rich, loosely packed, sandy, well-drained soil that is free of rocks, stones, and soil clumps. If garden soil is extremely heavy or clay, consider growing in a raised bed at least 12 inches deep. Succession plantings every 2 to 3 weeks is recommended for continual harvest. Open pollinated, it produces seed that will grow true to variety.
A cool-season, semi-hardy vegetable, one of the first to be planted in the garden, carrot seeds can be direct sown into the garden as soon as the soil is workable in early spring, before the last frost date. It needs cold temperatures to germinate and grow and can withstand light frost and temperatures in the 28° to 32°F range. Row covers protect plants from excessive cold and heavy frost. Mulching helps to moderate soil temperature and to maintain soil moisture.
