Fodder carrots: a root crop with a deliberately chosen purpose
A fodder carrot shows how much carrot varieties can differ in size, colour and use. To try it in a small garden, start with a known variety and a clear purpose. For the kitchen, a described culinary variety is the simplest choice.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
- Sowing
- Spring, according to the chosen cultivar
- Harvesting
- At the variety’s size; large winter types later in the season
- Location
- Sun and deep, loose soil
- Choice
- Check variety and use; fodder is no guarantee of flavour
This growing advice helps you choose. Your variety, growth stage, weather and conditions in your space determine the actual timing.
Sowing under cover and raising seedlings
Sow directly · Fodder carrot
Late winter–spring, only with a suitable early cultivarSow directly into the final greenhouse soil or deep container; do not transplant later.
- Germination and temperature
- Wait for workable, warmed soil; follow the cultivar’s minimum sowing temperature.
- After emergence
- Keep the seed row evenly moist during emergence and identifiable with a label.
- Pricking out and potting on
- Do not prick out. Thin in place; transplanting can damage the taproot.
- Hardening off and planting out
- Stays where sown; hardening off and planting out are unnecessary for direct sowing.
Use deep soil with little compaction. A warm tray in the loft is not a suitable propagation route for this root crop.
Sources and use
Royal Horticultural Society · RHS — wortel kweken ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
University of Minnesota Extension · UMN Extension — wortel in de moestuin ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
Guideline periods for the Netherlands and Flanders. Check the variety, available light, soil and measured temperatures. Greenhouse heating does not guarantee enough winter light.
A different flavour, a different harvest.
Choose by more than the name. Discover how these varieties and crop types taste, what you can use them for and what growing them involves.
11 of 11 choices · 8 named varieties
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Jaune du Doubs
Yellow storage carrot with a rounded tip.
Choose this variety for yellow winter carrots and storage use. Give some room to grow and harvest a few young roots to compare kitchen character.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The supplier describes Jaune du Doubs as sweet and mild. The yellow colour mainly adds harvest variety; no fixed difference in sugar content has been measured.
In the kitchen
Slice yellow carrots for raw salads or cut into thick sticks for roasting. Combine with orange carrot to show the colour difference in the same dish.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in deeply loosened soil and keep the germination layer moist. Thin for desired root thickness and protect against local carrot fly with well-sealed insect mesh.
Harvesting
Once growth is sufficient, lift with a fork beside the row. For storage, remove foliage and keep undamaged roots cool in material that prevents drying out.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Nantes 2
Sweet summer carrot for fresh harvesting.
Choose Nantes 2 for classic carrots, fresh by the meal or later stored. According to the European variety register, Nantaise 2 and Nantaise améliorée 2 name the same variety; another packet name is no separate flavour choice.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
Nantes 2 is described as having a sweet carrot flavour. The young root has a fresh bite; perceived sweetness also depends on ripeness and preparation.
In the kitchen
Slice summer carrots thinly for raw salads or cook briefly so they retain some bite. Fresh carrots also work as small sticks on a platter with dip.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in fine, loose soil and prevent a hard crust forming during germination. Thin carefully; do not disturb the taproot by transplanting later.
Harvesting
Harvest some roots young and let others reach size. Check a root first and lift for each desired meal. Store only intact roots, remove foliage and keep cool without drying out.
Also listed as: Nantaise 2, Nantaise améliorée 2, Demi-longue Nantaise améliorée 2.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Flakkee 2
Large, orange winter carrot for a storage crop.
Choose Flakkee 2 if you have room for a larger autumn and winter harvest. This variety suits a storage plan with a longer growing period than early bunching carrots.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
Flakkee 2 is described as sweet. The large root size gives more substantial pieces per plant, suited to stews and soup; preparation affects mouthfeel.
In the kitchen
Dice for soup or cut into generous wedges for roasting. Cook large pieces for long enough and cut all carrots to similar sizes in a mixed dish.
A space in the garden
Sow in spring according to the packaging in deeply loosened soil. Thin for the desired thickness and keep insect mesh well closed if excluding carrot fly.
Harvesting
The storage crop is often lifted in autumn, depending on growth. Use damaged roots first and keep intact specimens cool in slightly damp sand.
Also listed as: Flakkée 2.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Blanche des Vosges
White root with broad shoulders, best used young in the kitchen.
Choose this variety for a broad, white root and a historical crop form. Aim for a useful kitchen size rather than maximum weight alone.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The source describes the root as tasty when harvested young. Large mature roots were also used as a fodder crop; for a fine meal, therefore, try a young root in good time.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Slice young white carrots for a light raw salad or cook equal-sized pieces with other carrot colours. The white colour adds variety without a separate sauce.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in a loose bed and thin for the broad shoulders. Check development regularly so the harvest does not become oversized and coarse unnoticed.
Harvesting
Lift young roots for fresh preparation. The source also mentions winter storage; select healthy roots for this and keep cool, protected from drying out.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Gniff
Purple outside with a white interior.
Choose Gniff for its colour contrast and a carrot offered as suitable for storage. This gives a recognisable choice beside a completely orange or yellow carrot.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The supplier describes Gniff as very aromatic. Taste the root raw and simply cooked first to discover how the aroma comes through in your harvest.
In the kitchen
Cut crosswise slices to keep purple and white visible. Use young, raw slices in salad or prepare larger pieces separately for a coloured platter.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in loose soil and let the taproot develop undisturbed. Keep emergence moist and allow enough final space for the chosen root size.
Harvesting
Check a first root for size and internal colour. Store only undamaged specimens, remove foliage carefully and use damaged roots first.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Rood Hart uit Chantenay
Broad, half-long, conical root with a coloured centre.
Choose this variety for a bulky, shorter cone shape. It fits a shallower bed more readily than a very long root, provided the soil is still loose.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The root provides the crop's sweetish character. The described red core is a colour feature, not evidence of extra sweetness compared with other Chantenay types.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Cut the broad root into equal cubes for soup or substantial wedges for roasting. The half-long shape allows large pieces without a very long taproot.
A space in the garden
Sow directly and thin with room for the broad top. Avoid compacted, wet soil and keep the fine germination layer moist during emergence.
Harvesting
Lift at the desired thickness and loosen soil first. The broad root provides plenty of kitchen volume; use damaged pieces immediately and sort intact roots for storage.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Rouge Sang
Blood-red shoulder with a colour gradient towards the tip.
Choose Rouge Sang for an unusual presentation from your own carrot row. A few plants beside a yellow variety provide enough difference for a small tasting platter.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
Rouge Sang is described as pleasantly sweet. Its colour gradient is a clearly visible difference; harvest and preparation also determine how strongly you experience carrot aroma.
In the kitchen
Cut long, thin ribbons or crosswise slices for raw salads. Use equal root pieces in the oven if you want to show the two-coloured shoulder on a warm platter.
A space in the garden
Sow directly and stagger short rows if you want fresh roots more often. Keep the fine seedbed moist and thin carefully without pulling remaining taproots.
Harvesting
Harvest at a useful kitchen size, rather than by the calendar alone. Examine the colour pattern of the first root and taste it; lift a portion at a time while soil and season allow.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Amsterdamse Bak 2
Early, thin, cylindrical bunching carrots.
Choose this variety for early bunching carrots and small meal portions. The name refers to growing in hotbeds; outdoors it can also grow as an early summer carrot.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
A young bunching carrot has a fresh, sweetish carrot character. For Amsterdamse Bak 2, the thin, early harvest form is the main feature; a separate flavour score is not established.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Cook small roots whole or serve fresh, thin carrots with a dip. Brief cooking keeps the fine texture more recognisable than long stewing.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in a container or bed with loose soil. A sheltered start can be earlier, but needs light and frost checks; avoid transplanting formed taproots.
Harvesting
Harvest young, thin carrots as needed. For fresh use, you need not wait for very thick roots; a new sowing spreads the harvest.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Lang geel uit België
A long yellow to light orange carrot type for cooking.
Choose this regional long-root type for a yellow to light orange harvest and cooked use. A row for stews gives a different supply alongside early, fresh bunching carrots.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The source describes an aromatic, slightly sweet flavour. Colour varies from yellow to light orange, so one fixed shade is not a reliable promise for every root.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Cook equal cubes in a stew or roast batons with oil. The described purpose is cooked use, making a warm tasting a logical first introduction.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in deeply loosened soil and give the long root enough space. Keep moisture even during emergence and thin to the desired final size.
Harvesting
Lift with a fork beside the row to avoid breakage. Select undamaged storage roots and use damaged pieces straight away in soup or stew.
Read the source notes →Discover all 11 choices
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Vroeg uit Amsterdam
An early, thin cylindrical carrot type for fresh harvests.
Choose this type for an early, fresh use. The shop gives a general name; for seed selection, it therefore remains separate from a verified named variety.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The supplier describes juicy, aromatic flesh. This gives a tasting direction for a young harvest without automatically equating the offering with Amsterdamse Bak 2.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Serve thin, young roots raw or cook them briefly whole. Small, fresh portions make the juicy texture clear on a simple platter.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in a sheltered, light position in loose soil. Keep the germination layer moist and thin carefully once plants stand too close together.
Harvesting
Harvest young once roots have a usable, thin shape. Use fresh and stagger new short rows so that you can eat small carrots on several occasions.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Mixed
A mixture of four colours with comparable development.
Choose a mix to discover colour without opening several packets. The source mentions yellow, white, purple and orange; individual cultivars are not specified.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The colour mix gives different root types without one guaranteed sweetness. Taste each colour separately, raw and cooked, before drawing flavour conclusions.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Make a raw vegetable platter with ribbons or roast equal pieces. Consider preparing strongly coloured carrots separately so yellow and white pieces remain visible.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in a loose bed and thin for the desired root size. Allow for the largest shape you find and prevent crowding during growth.
Harvesting
Harvest a first selection to see the colours and let other roots grow further. The stated similar development does not rule out small differences between plants.
Read the source notes →Choose your way to grow
From a garden bed to a suitable pot or support: give your plant a place that suits your garden and the care you can provide.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Sowing directly into a cleared bed
A root builds its harvest underground. First choose workable soil and a spot that will stay available for long enough. Sow directly and keep the row identifiable, even while seedlings are still small.
- Remove stones, weeds and hard clods without smearing wet clay into a compacted surface.
- Sow at the depth for the cultivar and keep the germination zone moist.
- Thin in time and harvest a first test specimen.
For anyone with a suitable bed and enough root space.
Tick off your supplies →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
A small trial in a suitable container
For a limited trial, use a deep growing container. Depth and spacing depend on the variety; a large fodder root does not belong in a shallow balcony planter. Keep the trial small and compare with an outdoor row.
- Check the cultivar’s expected root size.
- Choose a container with enough depth and unobstructed drainage.
- Sow directly and check moisture more often than in the ground.
For limited space, provided the container suits the root shape.
Tick off your supplies →Choosing a suitable root crop
Fodder carrot describes use, not a separate guarantee of flavour, size or suitability for every animal. Some historic yellow carrots also served as fodder. Use a checked variety description to choose eating use or a specific shape.
Make room underground
Feel whether the soil is loose enough below the top layer. A fine surface can hide a hard layer. Carefully relieve obstructive compaction when the soil is workable. Avoid fresh, coarse manure directly in a row where straight roots need to develop.
Sow in the final position
Sow directly in spring within the variety window. A large root type may need a long season. Start with a short labelled trial row to learn how much soil and time it actually uses in your position.
The surface layer deserves attention
After sowing, keep the germination zone evenly moist. A hard crust and drying can hold back small plants. Water with a fine rose and do not walk over the row. A label helps you find the sowing position before recognisable leaves appear.
Give every young plant its own space
Give roots enough room for the described size. Small summer-carrot spacing does not automatically suit a large type. Thin early and weed so that later you need not pull large competing plants from among roots.
Growing without large fluctuations
During dry periods, check moisture below the surface. Young plants and containers need more frequent watering checks than a well-rooted crop in a bed. Water according to need and let it soak down; a wet surface every day tells you little about the root zone.
Take time over the first one
Loosen the soil deeply enough before trying to pull up a large root. Support the root and prevent breakage. Compare a few specimens for size and condition; the largest possible root is not automatically a better harvest for every purpose.
An unusual root tells you something
Bent, branched roots can reflect compaction, stones or young taproot damage. Tunnels need identification of possible carrot fly. Check watering and drainage too. Base the next crop on the problem you actually find.
Start with a sound harvest
Use damaged roots first and store only sound ones, following guidance for the type and cultivar. Cool conditions and suitable humidity help limit drying, but check for deterioration. Storage advice for one winter cultivar is not a shelf-life promise for the whole species.
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More background, sources and image information
SeedSteps editorial team · updated on 11 October 2026. The AI images illustrate species and practical growing situations; they do not prove an exact cultivar, observations from your own garden or yield.
Britse gewasadviezen worden gecombineerd met Nederlandse en Vlaamse informatie waar beschikbaar. Amerikaanse Extension-bronnen ondersteunen plantprincipes en herkenning; hun kalenderdata, lokale plaagdruk, bestrijdingsmiddelen en mestdoseringen worden niet rechtstreeks op Nederland of Vlaanderen toegepast. Vorst, bodemwarmte, standplaats en expliciete rasinformatie blijven de lokale controle. Commerciële bronnen onderbouwen uitsluitend benoemde ras- en plantkenmerken; zij zijn geen affiliate-aanbeveling.
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants — 4 juni 2026Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed 2026-10-07
- Common catalogue of varieties of vegetable species — Supplement H 2025/11 (C/2025/6470), Nantaise 2Europese Commissie · accessed 2026-10-11
- Organic Zomerwortelen Nantes 2 zadenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Gele winterwortel 'Jaune Du Doubs' zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Winterwortel Flakkee 2 BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel Blanche des VosgesFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel gemengdFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel Gniff zadenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel lang geel uit BelgiëFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel Nantaise 2Feggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel Rood Hart uit Chantenay zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel Rouge Sang BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Wortel vroege uit AmsterdamFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Zomerwortel 'Amsterdamse Bak 2' BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- RHS — wortel kwekenRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-10
- UMN Extension — wortel in de moestuinUniversity of Minnesota Extension · accessed 2026-10-10
- Vreeken — gele wortel, historisch voedergebruik en teeltVreeken’s Zaden · accessed 2026-10-10
Supporting evidence by chapter: Choosing a suitable root crop: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. Make room underground: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. Sow in the final position: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. The surface layer deserves attention: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. Give every young plant its own space: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. Growing without large fluctuations: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. Take time over the first one: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. An unusual root tells you something: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden. Start with a sound harvest: University of Minnesota Extension, Royal Horticultural Society, Vreeken’s Zaden.