Cosmic Purple Carrot
Price: $3.25
SKU: 3090121
60 days — Thanks to the work of Dr. Philipp Simon and staff at the USDA Agricultural Research Station in Madison, Wisconsin, a whole rainbow of colored carrots have become available since the early 2000s. Although purple colored carrots have been cultivated in Afghanistan, Turkey and Middle East since about 900 A.D., this variety was released in 2005.
'Cosmic Purple' plants are large, reaching fifteen to twenty-four inches in height, and produce carrots that are bright purple in color on the outside and orange on the inside. They make an interesting, tasty, and sweet addition to a veggie platter. 'Cosmic Purple' is a six to eight inch long, Danvers-type carrot.
According to the USDA[1], purple carrots contain the pigments (and antioxidants) anthocyanin, beta carotene and alpha carotene which they report as benefiting health by helping to prevent heart disease and strokes. Each packet contains one gram, which is approximately 700-750 seeds.
Plant outdoors in spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep, ½ inches apart in rows that are spaced 12 to 18 inches apart.
Keep moist until germination. Thin to 1 to 2 inches apart after the seedlings are 1½ inches tall.
Water as required and keep soil cultivated to control weeds.
- "Pigment Power in Carrot Colors", USDA ARS Vegetable Research Service
Customer Reviews:
By Brian Mitchell on December 29, 2018
This was the best carrot I grew in 2018. Large purple carrots with a slightly spicy to sweet taste. And they keep well long after harvest. I'd rate it four-and-a half stars out of five.
By K. Craig on July 10, 2017
2015 was the first year that I planted the 'Cosmic Purple' carrot, and wow did they do great! About 90% of the carrots we planted were about this size (see photo above). We canned and froze about thirty pounds of carrots and ate fresh another fifteen pounds over the season. These are a must have in our garden even with the hot dry weather in 2016. Thanks!
By Linda Workman on March 27, 2014
I wish I had specifics about germination and maturity, but all I can say is that they were hearty during our notoriously changeable weather, they were beautiful, and they tasted delicious. I let a bunch grow late into summer since we couldn't use them fast enough. It didn't affect the sweetness, but the chipmunks found them and when I pulled them out, many ends were chewed off! This year I won't wait so long to harvest.
By Amber Schooley on June 27, 2013
Maybe it's just because they're homegrown, but these are the sweetest carrots I have ever tasted. They took longer than the stated time for harvest, though. I think it was nearly 80 days before they were full size. A few of them were left in the ground about 4 months, and gave me carrots about 2 inches in diameter and 8 inches long. Great it baking. I can decrease the sugar and the bread or cookies still come out extra sweet
By Nancy Dobrinski on April 10, 2013
Tried these in my raised beds and had WONDROUS results. Near perfect germination and fast, steady growth. By midsummer we were enjoying carrots, which is no small feat here in northern Wisconsin. Neighbor kids came daily to pick them, and I feared we'd have none left by summer's end, but we dug up bushels of these babies. They tasted as good as any all orange variety I've had. Moist and crisp. Stored well for many months in zip-lock bag in the crisper drawers of the fridge. Am planting them again this year.
