Daucus carota 'Sugarsnax 54'

RHS Plant Profile
carrot 'Sugarsnax 54'
carrot 'Sugarsnax 54' RHS
Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

These carrots are deliciously sweet raw and cooked. The long tapered roots are a lovely rich orange colour and can be grown as baby carrots or as a maincrop which will store well over winter. They also show good disease resistance. Sow April – June, harvest August – November.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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 until November. For more advice, see carrots cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free although may be susceptible to carrot leaf blight in wet conditions during the growing season.