Carrot variety “Karlena” – late winter carrot variety, carrot seeds

🥕 Carrot variety “Karlena” – late winter carrot variety, carrot seeds

The carrot variety “Karlena” is a classic, late table carrot variety especially suitable for autumn harvest and long-term winter storage. It produces long, even, cylindrical roots with a deep orange colour and a balanced, traditional carrot flavour. This variety is a reliable choice for gardeners who value stable yields, high-quality carrots and excellent storage ability.

🌱 Variety characteristics

“Karlena” is a late carrot variety with strong growth and a high dry matter content. The roots are smooth, long and well suited both for fresh use and for cooking and processing. This is a non-hybrid variety, suitable for seed saving and sustainable gardening.

Carrots are particularly suitable for:

• soups and stews

• oven roasting

• freezing, preserving and drying

• storage in a cellar throughout the winter

📜 Variety history

The carrot variety “Karlena” was developed in Europe as a practical variety intended for storage, bred for stable yields in a temperate climate. It belongs to the group of classic late carrot varieties whose main purpose was to provide quality food during the winter period. “Karlena” is still popular in Northern and Eastern Europe, especially in organic and permaculture gardens.

🌍 Sowing and growing “Karlena” carrots from seed in Europe

❄️ Northern Europe (Latvia, the Baltics, Scandinavia, etc.)
• Sowing: late April – mid May
• Seeds must be sown in their permanent place – carrots do not tolerate transplanting
• Seeds germinate in 10–20 days and require even moisture
• Regular watering during germination
• Thinning after emergence, leaving 5–7 cm between plants
• Harvest: September–October

☀️ Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece)
• Spring sowing is not recommended due to heat
• Autumn sowing: September–October
• Grown as a cool-season crop
• Regular watering in the morning or evening
• Mulching helps retain moisture
• Partial shade protects young plants during the hottest days

🌾 Soil requirements for growing from seed

“Karlena” carrots require:

• loose, deep, well-drained soil

• free of stones and compaction

• pH 6.0–6.8

Ideal soil mix:
• 50% growing substrate
• 30% sand
• 20% well-matured compost

Fresh manure is not recommended, as it causes root branching.

🌱 Sowing

• Sowing depth: 1.5–2 cm
• Row spacing: 25–30 cm
• Thinning: final spacing 5–7 cm
• Carrots must be sown in their permanent place
• Even moisture is essential for good germination

💧 Garden care

• Regular, even watering
• Shallow weeding without damaging roots
• Mulching with grass clippings, leaves or straw
• Moderate fertilisation – excess nitrogen promotes leaf growth at the expense of root development
• Potassium improves root quality and storage ability

⏳ Harvesting

“Karlena” carrots mature 130–150 days after sowing.
Harvest in dry weather before strong frosts. Cut off the tops rather than pulling them out. Carrots are very well suited for storage in a cellar until spring.

🌿 Carrot compatibility with other plants in the garden

🤝 Good companion plants:
• Onions, garlic, leeks
• Lettuce, radishes
• Dill, coriander
• Peas and beans (moderately)

🚫 Poor companion plants:
• Potatoes
• Beets
• Fennel
• Celery
• Parsnips

🪴 Growing carrots in pots, on terraces and balconies

The carrot variety “Karlena” can also be grown in containers:
• Pot depth: at least 30–35 cm
• Pot width: 25–40 cm
• Light, loose growing medium
• Regular watering – pot soil dries out quickly
• 6+ hours of sun; partial shade during hot periods

✔️ Summary

The carrot variety “Karlena” is a reliable, late winter carrot variety with very good storage qualities. It is suitable for Northern and Southern European gardens, organic cultivation, permaculture and building winter food reserves.

Seeds per packet: 10 pcs
Author: Heart Garden Studio