Black Nebula, Carrot Seeds

Black Nebula Carrot Seed

Nearly black-purple roots bring edible drama to garden harvests
Open-pollinated carrots serve fresh, roasted, steamed, or juiced
Natural pigment can color foods and craft projects
Leave selected roots flowering for ornamental seed umbels

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Daucus carota

Days to maturity

75 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

1000 Seeds

About Black Nebula, Carrot Seed, Carrot Seed

The Black Nebula carrot is a highly attractive open pollinated carrot variety that was bred especially for the home gardener. The dark purple roots can be eaten fresh, roasted, steamed or used for dye. After the carrots grow too large to eat leave them in the garden and use for cut flowers. The white umbels are tinged with lavender on the edges and flower stems. Bees love carrot flowers so they make great food for pollinators.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

10–21 days

In-row plant spacing

2-3"

Row Spacing

16-24"

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer, Fall

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

12 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

23,438

Color

Black

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Carrot Type

Imperator Carrot

Carrot Root Length

Long

Before Planting

A successful Carrot planting begins with a full-sun site with deep, loose, well-drained soil. Remove stones, clods, roots, and undecomposed organic matter, then work the bed to a fine texture so carrot roots can develop evenly. Avoid fresh manure and excessive nitrogen, and correct soil fertility only as indicated by a soil test.

Planting

Direct sow carrots as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, with additional sowings every 2–3 weeks for a continuing harvest. Keep the upper soil consistently moist until the slow seedlings emerge; a light cover can reduce surface drying. Thin while seedlings are small, preferably by cutting rather than pulling, and use the final distance shown in the spacing field.

Watering

Carrot develops best with steady soil moisture. Supply deep water when rainfall is inadequate, never allowing severe drying or prolonged saturation while the edible roots are enlarging.

Fertilizer

Carrot is a moderate feeder. Use balanced nutrition based on soil-test results, limiting nitrogen after establishment so energy goes toward root development rather than excessive foliage.

Harvesting

Harvest carrots when exposed shoulders reach the expected diameter and full color. Loosen surrounding soil before pulling to prevent broken roots, especially with long varieties. Harvest young for tenderness or allow storage types to size fully.

Tips

Use a light row cover to preserve surface moisture and prevent crusting during emergence. Thin promptly and control weeds while seedlings are small. Hill soil over exposed shoulders to prevent greening.

AVG. Seeding Rate

1M/33', 5M/166', 25M/830', 720M/acre at 30 seeds/ft. in rows 24" apart.

Pests & Diseases

Alternaria and Cercospora leaf blights, aster yellows, cavity spot, and storage rots are key carrot problems. Remove feathery leaves that develop expanding dark lesions. Control weeds and leafhoppers to limit aster yellows, rotate fields, and avoid injuring roots at harvest; damaged carrots decay quickly in storage.

Carrot rust flies, root-knot nematodes, wireworms, and rodents may damage roots. Use insect netting early, rotate planting areas, remove crop residue, and harvest promptly where burrowing damage appears.