How to Grow Daucus carota 'Dara'
Daucus carota
Daucus carota 'Dara' is the cutting garden's secret weapon — its dramatic dark burgundy and deep purple lacy umbels add depth and contrast to any bouquet. Sow in autumn for the biggest, earliest plants, or in spring once the soil reaches 5°C. Surface sow; seeds need light to germinate. Pinch out tips at 15 cm for more branching. Tall plants (90-120 cm) may need support. Cut when half the florets on each umbel are open, vase life 7-10 days. Self-seeds freely. Caution — sap is phototoxic; wear gloves when handling in sunlight.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed. Thrives in average to poor, well-drained soil — rich soil produces lush leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
- A stunning cut flower with dark burgundy umbels unlike anything else in the cutting garden. Self-seeds readily and returns year after year. Caution — the sap is phototoxic and can cause skin irritation in sunlight; wear gloves when handling. Autumn sowing gives much bigger, earlier plants than spring sowing.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Germination temperature
- 15–20°C
Pet Safety
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 25 cm |
| Row spacing | 35 cm |
| Sow depth | 0 cm |
| Mature height | 100 cm |
| Mature spread | 35 cm |
Tall plant reaching 90-120 cm. Pinch out growing tips when 15 cm tall to encourage branching and more stems. May need support with netting or grow-through rings in exposed sites.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green or black insects on shoot tips and flower buds, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with fatty acid-based insecticide
- Encourage ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing deltamethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin
Pest Carrot Fly
Identification: Rusty-brown tunnels in stems near soil level; wilting and yellowing of lower leaves; small white maggots visible if stems are cut open
- Grow under fine insect-proof mesh
- Avoid sowing near carrots or parsnips
- Delay spring sowing until after the first carrot fly generation (late May)
- Soil drench with an approved insecticide at sowing time
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves and stems, causing yellowing and reduced vigour, especially later in the season
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves. Spray with a fungicide if severe. Improve airflow around plants
Prevention: Space plants well, avoid overhead watering, and water at the base in the morning
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–20°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Daucus carota 'Dara'?
- Plant Daucus carota 'Dara' 25cm apart with 35cm between rows.
- When does Daucus carota 'Dara' flower?
- Daucus carota 'Dara' typically flowers approximately 70 days after transplanting.
- Is Daucus carota 'Dara' frost hardy?
- Daucus carota 'Dara' is classified as Hardy.
