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Annual Biennial

Daucus carota 'Maestro'PBR
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

carrot 'Maestro'

A high quality ‘Nantes’ variety that is popular with organic farmers due to its good resistance to carrot fly, alternaria (leaf blight) and cavity spot. The sweet roots can be harvested through the winter and strong tops make for easier lifting making this variety increasingly popular. Sow from March – June, harvest from August through the winter.

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Apiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Daucus are more commonly known as wild carrot, a group of herbaceous, biennial (although not always) plants which can reach a height of between 30 to 60cm. The triangular shaped leaves are tripinnate, divided and lacy and flowers begin in pink buds, opening into small and white clustered together in dense umbels. The fruit is small, hairy and lumpy.

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, sunny position with deeply cultivated, well-drained soil; heavy clay or stony soils may cause carrots to fork so it is best to make sure you have removed as many stones as possible and for clay soils add plenty of organic matter, such as well rotted manure. To reduce chances of harvesting forked carrots in clay soil choose a short-rooted cultivar. Keep seeds well-watered until your seedlings have emerged. You can also sow seeds in containers, especially if you select a cultivar with a shorter root. Harvest carrots from August through the winter March. For more advice, see carrots cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Seeds can be sown from March until June. To sow directly into the ground, dig over the soil to remove weeds and large stones, firm it and then rake it level. Make drills with a hoe, water the base and sow the seed. It is best to sow sparingly so you don’t have to thin the carrots too much later on as this can attract carrot fly. Cover with soil and water in.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to wireworm, slugs and rodents; foliage may be susceptible to aphids but shows good resistance to carrot fly larvae A barrier of fine insect mesh at least 60cm high around the beds can help prevent carrot fly laying eggs.

Diseases

May be susceptible to types of carrot leaf blight in wet conditions during the growing season but shows good resistance to Alternaria and carrot spot. Generally disease-free

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