8 Fast-Growing Carrot Varieties You Can Grow From Seed & Harvest In No Time

With carrots, it sometimes feels like you're waiting an eternity for that first crunchy bite. Many types of carrots take up to 16 weeks (112 days) to grow from seeds to their full size, but not everyone wants to wait a full four months before harvesting. But don't worry, while some varieties take their sweet time to mature, there are plenty of speedy options that go from seed to plate in less time. Some quick-growing carrots, like Amsterdam Forcing 3s, take as little as 42 days to mature completely. Other fast-growing options take between 50 and 65 days to mature, like Adelaide, Early Nantes, and Mokum carrots. 

It's important to note that there are several stages to growing carrots, and it's not as simple as just dropping some seeds into the ground and setting a reminder in your calendar. Carrot seeds first need to germinate, which can take two to three weeks. Then, you'll start to see some bushy leaves developing, which is when the root vegetable underground also starts to grow. But don't worry, with some easy tips, growing carrots can be a breeze. For example, remember to space out carrot seeds carefully to make sure roots can develop, and keep the soil moist during the germination stages. 

Consider planting carrots alongside a companion plant like lettuce, since the two share space very well and can attract beneficial insects. To harvest carrots, you'll simply need to pull them out of the ground. If needed, gently loosen the soil around them with your hands to prevent the root vegetables from breaking or getting stuck, especially with more delicate varieties. 

Nantes refers to an entire category of carrots, but the subvariety of 'Early Nantes' is known to mature particularly quickly. 'Early Nantes' are a sweet and easy-going type of carrot that can take as little as 65 days to mature from seed. You can sow them directly into the ground between April and August, as long as the ground is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Just keep in mind that this variety grows quicker in spring and summer, and could take closer to 90 days to mature in the fall or winter.

'Paris Market' carrots are a fun and unique variety that produces small and rounded root vegetables. These carrots, which come in several subvarieties, can grow healthy and tasty even in shallow garden beds or in containers. And the best part? 'Paris Market' carrots grow super quickly. From seed, this variety of carrots can take as little as 65 days to mature, and up to 85 days. They're fun, quirky, and quick to grow.

'Little Finger' carrots get their name from their shape. They're small, baby-style Nantes carrots that are perfect for snacking or pickling. While they're small, they're full of nutrients, and they can grow healthily in containers. These carrots only take about 55 days to fully mature when grown in the spring or summer. However, when grown in the fall or winter, they'll take a bit longer to reach maturity. 

'Adelaide' carrots can be harvested 50 to 55 days after the seeds go in the ground. This carrot is so speedy because it can be harvested as a baby carrot just one month after sowing. But don't let their scale discourage you; you can also harvest them full-size at just 50 days. These are wonderful carrots that you can use in a variety of dishes by roasting, steaming, or even eating them raw as a snack or in salads.

'Mokum' carrots are a long and thin carrot variety that looks a bit like a pencil. These are delicate, but they can grow to maturity in just 54 to 60 days. And if you'd like to pull them out of the ground early to enjoy as baby carrots, then you can go ahead in as little as 36 days. They're from the Amsterdam family of carrots, are bright orange, are a bit sweet, and have a crisp yet tender texture. 

The 'Amsterdam Forcing 3' sounds like a running shoe, which makes total sense considering the speed at which this carrot can grow. These full-sized carrots can mature in as little as 42 days from the day you place seeds in the ground to germinate. They're reliable and wonderful for cooking with their sweet and fresh flavor and tender texture. The 'Amsterdam Forcing 3' can grow in clay, sandy environments, and loam soils. They'll do incredibly well in containers, garden beds, and even wild gardens. 

These are another type of Nantes carrots that can grow in as little as 65 days in spring and summer, a bit more in cooler months, and a bit less if you'd like to harvest early to use as baby carrots. These are particularly loved because of their strong flavor and tender texture, which makes them a wonderful choice for juices and soups. Despite its name, this type of carrot is not red but a deep, bright orange.

The 'Yaya' carrot is a wonderful option for a quick harvest, needing only 56 days to mature from seed to full size. 'Yaya' carrots have a uniform and aesthetically pleasing look, with long and slender roots that are perfect for cooking. They are from the Nantes family and have a mild but sweet, crisp, and fresh flavor profile. And you don't need a fancy garden to grow 'Yayas'; you can use containers and DIY raised garden beds.