Kintoki Red Carrot

The Kintoki Carrot is a stunning heirloom variety featuring vibrant red to orange roots that grow up to 8 inches long. Known for its sweet, tender flavor, this Japanese carrot is perfect for adding color and taste to your culinary creations. Ideal for fresh salads, hearty soups, and savory stir-fries, the Kintoki Carrot can be enjoyed raw, steamed, roasted, or pickled. Its rich color also adds a nutritional boost, making it a versatile and healthful choice for any kitchen. The Kintoki Carrot's intense red color is due to its high anthocyanin content, which also contributes to its antioxidant properties. Traditionally, Kintoki Carrots are grown in Japan's cooler regions, where they are highly valued for their unique flavor and used in Japanese pickles and as a key ingredient in various regional dishes.

Also Known As: Kintoki Red Carrot is also known by the following names: Kintoki Carrot, Red Kintoki Carrot, Kintoki Japanese Carrot, Kintoki Red Japanese Carrot, Kintoki Root Vegetable, Japanese Kintoki Red Carrot, Kintoki Red Root Carrot, Kintoki Carrot Red, Japanese Red Kintoki Carrot, Red Japanese Kintoki Carrot.

Plant Name:	Carrot, Kintoki Red
Latin Name:	Daucus carota
Days to Germinate:	14-28
Days to Harvest:	75
Plant Height:	12 - 18 Inches
Spread:	4 - 6 Inches
Growth Habit:	Root
USDA Zones:	2-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Carrots grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. If planting in a garden bed, carrots can be planted more densely, at a rate of 16 plants per square foot.

Planting:

Plant carrots in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked and the soil reaches about 45F (carrot germination is 55F-80F). For fall crops, direct sow seeds 10-12 weeks before the first average frost date. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 2 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Carrots can also be double-planted (planted in pairs) down the rows. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	2 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply a complete fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Carrots are ready to harvest when they have reached a desirable size, around 2-3 months after growing. To determine if they are ready, gently pull one from the soil to check its size, and look for the top of the root to be a vibrant color. If the root is firm and the desired size, it’s time to harvest. You can wash and taste-test carrots to determine if they are sweet, crisp, and flavorful to help determine when to harvest. Carrots can be harvested when they reach a mature size, usually 6-8 inches in length, or when they reach 3-4 inches for baby snacking carrots. Though, carrots can be left to grow larger if desired. Harvest carrots by pulling from the tops until the roots separate from the soil.