Carrot `De Colmar à Cœur Rouge` - Seeds - The sweet storage classic with a red heart

The 'Colmar à cœur rouge' carrot is an outstanding, historic late variety from Alsace that belongs to the group of large Flakkee carrots. Its name translates to “Colmar carrot with a red heart,” which perfectly describes its most striking feature: unlike many modern varieties, it has an intensely colored, deep orange-red core with no pale areas. This powerful, slightly conical to blunt-ended carrot is characterized by an exceptionally sweet, aromatic flavor and a very high yield. I selected it for my assortment because it is one of the best, most robust varieties for winter storage and true self-sufficiency.

'Colmar à cœur rouge' forms very large, heavy roots that reach a significant weight. To ensure they grow straight down and do not split (forking), a sunny location with deeply loosened, fine-crumbed, and stone-free soil is absolutely essential. As a medium feeder, it does not require aggressive fertilization. Very important: Never incorporate fresh manure or immature compost just before sowing, as this attracts carrot fly infestations and deforms the roots. Consistent watering prevents the carrots from bursting after heavy rain following a dry spell.

This variety reaches its full maturity and best, sweetest flavor in late autumn (about 140 to 160 days after sowing). You can harvest them from late September until late November, ideally just before the first permanent ground frost. It is a classic, outstanding storage carrot: packed in moist sand and placed in a cool, dark place (such as a root cellar), it stays wonderfully crisp throughout the winter. It is extremely versatile in the kitchen and, due to its distinct sweetness, is excellent for hearty winter stews, as aromatic roasted vegetables, for juices, or simply enjoyed raw.

This traditional, open-pollinated landrace originally comes from the region around Colmar in Alsace (France). It has been specifically selected over generations for size, durability, and its intensely colored, sweet core, and remains an absolute treasure for enthusiasts of historic vegetable varieties to this day.