11 Unusual Carrots to Grow

Find a carrot variety that's right for your garden. Blunt-tipped Nantes types are the easiest for most backyard gardeners to grow. Imperators are the long, straight, tapered types usually sold in stores. Cone-shaped Chantneys are short and stubby. You can also find mini varieties and radish-type carrots for growing in containers or rocky soils. While you're at it, consider growing some colored carrots, too, for their unusual flavors and hues.

'Solar Yellow’ carrots have their roots, so to speak, in the Middle East. Some sources date them to the 900s, while others say they appeared in the 14th century. They’re a bit sweeter than most orange carrots, and hold their buttery color when cooked.

Crunchy, juicy ‘White Satin’ carrots have a sweet but slightly spicy taste. This Nantes-type holds up well in storage. Serve the roots uncooked, alongside purple and orange carrots, to add color to the table.

'Yellowstone' carrots are non-GMO, which means they are open-pollinated, not genetically engineered. They're sunflower-yellow in color, with a sweet, mild flavor and a crisp bite. 'Yellowstone' is an Imperator-type carrot.