Carrot seed packet - Shido Seeds non-GMO vacuum-sealed woodblock design
Carrot orange roots freshly pulled from loose garden soil
Carrot seeds vacuum-sealed - Shido Seeds by Chive
Shido Seeds vacuum packed flower and vegetable seeds for maximum freshness
Carrot seed packet - Shido Seeds non-GMO vacuum-sealed woodblock design
Carrot orange roots freshly pulled from loose garden soil
Carrot seeds vacuum-sealed - Shido Seeds by Chive
Shido Seeds vacuum packed flower and vegetable seeds for maximum freshness

Vegetable Seeds

Carrot Vegetable Seeds Packet

$4.95
Vacuum Sealed
NON-GMO
Seed Pack Guarantee

Build Your Garden With These Shido Seeds

Choose a seed packet as your starting point, then round out the bed with these for that thrown-together-but-somehow-perfect harvest.

Carrot seeds for the kitchen garden that intends to actually produce carrot this year. Carrots are the vegetable that requires the soil to be prepared properly, and then performs accordingly.

Carrot is the classic garden carrot that rewards loose, deep soil and regular thinning with long, sweet roots. Each packet is hermetically vacuum-sealed -- removing the oxygen that causes standard paper seed packets to lose germination viability within approximately one year. State law requires a 3-year viability label on sealed packaging. NASA research on hermetic seed storage indicates viability of up to 10 years under proper conditions. Every packet is non-GMO and germination-tested at independent third-party labs before it earns its Japanese woodblock print artwork.

Seed specifications
  • Material: Seed
  • Botanical name: Daucus carota subsp. sativus 'Danvers'
  • Genus: Daucus
  • Plant family: Apiaceae
  • Species: Carota
  • Plant type: Biennial, grown as an annual
  • Pollination type: Vegetable
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6
  • Packet contents: ≈ 100 Seeds
  • Packaging: Hermetically vacuum-sealed
  • Non-GMO: Yes
  • Seed viability: Up to 10 years (sealed) / 4–5 years (unsealed, ideal conditions)
  • Difficulty: Moderate - Recreational Gardener
Sowing & growing guide

Quick Sowing Guide:

  • When to sow: Direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost
  • Sowing depth: 1/4 in
  • Initial spacing: 2-3 in
  • Row spacing: 12-18 in
  • Days to germination: 14-21 days
  • Light: Full sun
  • Water: Consistent, even moisture
  • Soil: Fertile, moist, slightly acidic well-drained
  • Harvest: 70-80 days

Start Growing: Step-by-step sowing and growing guide
About vacuum sealing

Why Vacuum-Sealed Seeds Last Longer

Standard paper seed packets are permeable to oxygen and moisture -- the two primary causes of seed degradation. Most paper-packaged seeds begin losing germination viability after approximately one year, contributing to significant garden-industry waste: packets purchased, not planted, expired, discarded. Shido Seeds are hermetically vacuum-sealed. The packet does not expire quietly in a drawer. It waits.

About the Packaging

Every Shido seed packet is illustrated in the style of Japanese 1910s woodblock printing -- designed and drawn in-house by Chive, that has been exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show in London every year and does not, as a matter of principle, sell to big-box retailers. Customers collect the packets as a series. This was not the original plan.
Shipping & returns

Shipping

  • Free shipping: Orders $200+ within the US
  • Standard: 5–8 business days, Express 2–3 business days (at checkout)
  • International Ships: to 40 countries — rates at checkout
  • Packaging Ships: in outer box to protect gift box

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Returns

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery on unused items in original packaging. If your piece arrives damaged, contact us within 7 days with a photo and we will replace it at no charge.

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Satisfaction Guarantee

We stand by the quality of our flower seed packets! Every Shido seed packet is lab-tested for germination before it ships. If your seeds do not perform to the stated germination rate under correct growing conditions, contact us and we will replace or refund. Guaranteed!
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Radish Horticultural Specifications

Botanical

Daucus carota subsp. sativus 'Danvers'

Plant Type

Biennial, grown as an annual

Light

Full sun

Water

Consistent, even moisture

Soil

Fertile, moist, slightly acidic well-drained

Depth

1/4 in

Germination

14-21 days

USDA Zone

6

Mature Height

8-24 in foliage

Harvest

70-80 days

Getting to know your Carrot

Carrots are cool-season root vegetables known for their sweet, genuinely crunchy texture once grown under the right conditions. They perform best in loose, sandy soil that allows roots to develop straight and long rather than forking or twisting around whatever resistance they meet underground. Carrots come in a wider range of colors than most people expect, including purple, yellow, and white varieties alongside the familiar orange, each with subtly different flavor notes. Consistent moisture throughout the growing season matters enormously, since inconsistent watering is one of the more common causes of cracked, misshapen roots that fall short of what a gardener actually hoped to pull from the ground. Rich in beta-carotene, carrots show up everywhere from raw salads to soups and fresh juices, versatile enough to anchor a dish or simply disappear into one. Carrot flies and nematodes are the more persistent pest concerns, though companion planting with onions tends to help keep both at a manageable distance without requiring anything harsher. Getting the soil right from the start does more for a carrot harvest than almost any other single decision a gardener makes. Everything else about growing carrots well follows from that one early decision. Skipping it tends to show up in the harvest more than anything else a gardener does.

Find More Vegetable Seeds to Grow

History & origin

Ancient Central Asia

Carrots were first domesticated in Central Asia, in the region of modern Afghanistan, with the earliest cultivated types being purple or yellow rather than the now-familiar orange.

Medieval Middle East & Europe

Purple and yellow carrots spread through the Middle East and into Europe during the medieval period.

17th Century, Netherlands

Orange carrots became dominant in cultivation by the 17th century, widely (though not universally) credited to Dutch breeding efforts, eventually becoming the global standard color.

Today

One of the most widely cultivated root vegetables in the world, though this generic listing represents the now-standard orange type rather than the historically older purple and yellow forms.

Shido Vegetable and Flower Seeds Vacuum sealed for peak freshness

Step-by-Step Sowing & Growing Guide

Getting Started

Biennial grown as an annual, direct sow only

Step 1: Timing - Direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost.

Step 2: Soil preparation - Loosen soil to at least 12 inches and remove rocks -- prevents most forking and stunting.

Step 3: Sowing - ¼ inch deep. Germination is slow, 14-21 days.

Step 4: Thinning - Thin to 2-3 inches apart.

Step 5: Harvest - Pull once shoulders are visibly colored and about ¾ inch across at the soil line.

Before you start

Materials needed to sow
  • Garden bed, deeply loosened soil: Direct sown only.
  • Garden fork or broadfork: For loosening soil and removing rocks.
  • Rake: For a fine, level seedbed.
  • Fast-germinating radish seed (optional): Marks the row while slow carrot seed germinates underground.

Materials for harvest and storage
  • A garden fork: For loosening soil before pulling.
  • Basket: For collecting roots.
  • Root cellar or refrigerator crisper: For longer-term storage.

Tip: Pull a test root before committing to the full bed, since size is genuinely hard to judge from the foliage above ground alone.

Growth Requirements

Light:

  • Requires full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily) but can tolerate light shade.

Soil:

  • Prefers loose, well-draining, sandy or loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
  • Avoid heavy clay soils, which can cause forked or misshapen roots.

Watering:

  • Needs consistent moisture, about 1 inch of water per week.
  • Avoid waterlogging, as this can cause root rot.

Temperature & Climate:

  • Best growing temperatures: 50-75°F (10-24°C).
  • Can tolerate light frost, which can enhance their sweetness.

Fertilization:

  • Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage leafy growth instead of root development.
  • Use a balanced organic fertilizer or compost before planting.

Maintenance

Watering:

  • Provide consistent moisture to prevent cracking or tough roots.
  • Use mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.

Harvesting and Seed Collection

  1. When to Harvest:
    Carrots are ready 60-80 days after planting.
    Harvest when roots are firm and reach full size (typically 1/2-1 inch in diameter).
    Pull gently to avoid breaking the roots.
  2. Storing Carrots:
    Store in co ol, humid conditions (such as a root cellar) for long-term storage.
    Can be refrigerated in sealed plastic bags for freshness.
  3. Saving Seeds:
    Allow plants to flower and set seed in their second year.
    Collect dried seed heads, store in a cool, dry place, and plant the following season.

Troubleshooting and common mistakes
  • Rocky or compacted soil — the #1 cause of forked, stunted roots -- loosen soil to at least 12 inches and remove stones before sowing
  • Skipping thinning — crowded carrots stay skinny no matter how long they're left in the ground

Culinary uses & nutritional information

What it's used for

1. Culinary Uses:

  • Eaten raw in salads, juiced, steamed, roasted, or cooked in soups and stews.
  • Used to make carrot cake, smoothies, and baby food.

2. Nutritional Benefits:

  • High in vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants.
  • Supports eye health, digestion, and immune function.

3. Companion Planting:

  • Grows well with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and radishes.
  • Helps repel pests like carrot flies when planted with strong-scented herbs.

What parts are edible
  • Root: The primary harvest.
  • Leaves / tops: Technically edible, bitter, occasionally used in pesto or as a garnish.

Nutritional data

Raw carrot, per 100g (standard orange type)

Calories: 41 kcal

  • Carbohydrates: 9.6 g
  • Protein: 0.9 g
  • Total fat: 0.2 g
  • Dietary fiber: 2.8 g
  • Vitamin C: 5.9 mg (7% RDA)
  • Folates: 19 µg (5% RDA)
  • Potassium: 320 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Vitamin A: 16,706 IU (334% RDA) -- carrot's defining nutrient, from beta-carotene

Companion plants, pests & diseases

Companion planting

Good companions

  • Peas, lettuce, onions — classic companion pairing, low competition
  • Rosemary, sage, tomatoes — traditional beneficial pairing

Poor companions / avoid

  • Dill — same family -- competes and can stunt carrot growth if allowed to flower nearby

Pests
  • Carrot rust fly — larvae tunnel into roots; row covers are the primary defense
  • Aphids — cluster on foliage
  • Wireworms — larvae damage roots from below

Diseases
  • Alternaria leaf blight — dark spots on foliage, spreads in humid conditions
  • Cavity spot — sunken lesions on the root surface
  • Root-knot nematodes — cause forked, distorted roots

Pro Tip

Carrots need loose, well-draining soil—rocks and compacted dirt can cause misshapen roots. Keep the soil consistently moist for even germination, and thin seedlings early to give each carrot room to grow.

Bonus: A light frost makes them sweeter, so don’t rush to harvest in the fall!

Seeds worth keeping

What makes Shido Seeds different

Shido Seeds are designed by Chive Studio, a ceramic design company. We are not a seed conglomerate. We do not sell through big-box retailers. Each variety in the catalog was selected because it is worth growing — not because it ships well in bulk or photographs well in marketing materials.

Every packet is germination-tested at an independent third-party lab before it earns its woodblock illustration. The vacuum seal removes the oxygen that causes standard paper packets to degrade. The stated germination rate is a floor, not a marketing figure.

If something goes wrong, contact us. We will make it right.

Plants that Grow together look good together...even if they are ceramic

Another Root Worth Growing

For a root crop that shares carrot's love of loose soil, Beet brings a completely different flavor and color to the same growing conditions.

Vegetable Shido Seeds packets — by Chive Studio Toronto

More From Shido's Garden

Shido's vegetable seed lineup runs from root crops like this one to leafy greens and fruiting vegetables alike.

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Orange That Never Needs Pulling

A carrot's color only shows once it's out of the ground — Ivory Keiko Peony keeps its color visible on a shelf the whole time.

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The credentials behind the packet

A carrot's final shape depends on conditions set months before harvest, so a weak packet compounds quietly into a disappointing root long after the actual mistake happened. Sealing the packet against oxygen exposure removes one of those early variables entirely, rather than leaving it to inconsistent paper packaging. A root crop this dependent on a good start shouldn't have the seed working against it too. Everything that follows in the garden depends on getting this first, invisible step right. A gardener rarely traces a disappointing harvest back to the seed itself, but that's often exactly where the problem started. Reliable seed removes at least one variable from an already unpredictable process.

About our studio

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to grow carrot seeds?

Carrots need loose, sandy soil to allow straight root development, along with consistent moisture throughout the season to prevent the cracking that ruins an otherwise promising harvest. Working compost into the bed ahead of planting also helps loosen dense soil considerably. Working compost into the bed ahead of time also helps loosen dense soil considerably before planting.

Why do carrots sometimes grow crooked or forked?

Rocky or compacted soil is the most common cause, since roots twist and fork around resistance underground rather than growing straight down the way loose, well-worked soil allows. Removing rocks and breaking up clumps before planting goes a long way toward preventing this problem. Sifting out rocks and breaking up clumps before planting goes a long way toward preventing this problem.

What colors do carrots come in besides orange?

Purple, yellow, and white varieties all exist alongside the familiar orange, each carrying a subtly different flavor profile despite sharing the same basic growing requirements. Each color also tends to carry a subtly different sweetness once cooked, worth experimenting with directly. Each color also carries a subtly different sweetness once cooked, worth trying side by side.

Why does carrot skin sometimes crack?

Inconsistent watering is the primary cause, particularly a heavy watering session after a dry stretch, which causes the root to expand faster than its skin can accommodate. Mulching can help regulate soil moisture and reduce the kind of sudden swings that cause cracking. Mulching can help regulate soil moisture and reduce the kind of sudden swings that lead to cracking.

What pests commonly affect carrots?

Carrot flies and nematodes are the most persistent concerns, and companion planting with onions tends to help keep both at a more manageable distance without requiring anything harsher. Interplanting with onions specifically confuses the scent cues carrot flies rely on to find their target. Interplanting with onions specifically confuses the scent cues carrot flies rely on to find their target crop.

How long do carrot seeds last?

Vacuum-sealed Shido Seeds packets stay viable for up to 10 years when stored properly, a significant improvement over the roughly one-year shelf life of a standard paper seed packet. That reliability matters given how much a carrot's final shape depends on conditions set early in the season. Storing unused packets somewhere cool and dry helps preserve that extended viability even further.

Do carrots need full sun to grow well?

Full sun produces the best results, though carrots tolerate a bit of partial shade, particularly in warmer climates where some afternoon relief from direct sun can actually help. That flexibility makes carrots a reasonably adaptable choice for gardens without consistently full sun all day. That flexibility makes carrots a reasonably adaptable choice for gardens without full sun all day long.

Is this seed lab-tested for germination?

Yes — every Shido Seeds packet, carrots included, is germination-tested at independent third-party labs before it ever reaches a shelf. That reliability matters given how much a carrot's final shape depends on conditions set early on. That reliability matters given how much a carrot's final shape depends on conditions set early on in the season.
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The seed is the start. Verte RX handles the rest.

Most seedlings fail not from bad seed but from soil that runs out of what the plant needs before the plant can find it. Verte RX is a liquid plant vitamin formulated for exactly that window — the weeks after germination when the root system is establishing and the margin between thriving and stalling is narrowest.

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