Carrot “Vampire” (Longue Rouge Sang) is an ancient, traditional French variety (Longue Rouge Sang, which literally means “long blood red”). It develops a spectacular purplish-red hue that intensifies on the classic orange root as it matures, offering a remarkable visual surprise in the garden. Its sweet flavor and crisp texture make it an excellent carrot for raw consumption, juicing, or baking. It is an ideal variety for both beginner and experienced gardeners, especially when grown in deep, well-prepared soil. To avoid overly dense sowing, it is recommended to mix the small seeds with fine sand or radish seeds: the sand improves spacing, and the radish marks the rows by germinating quickly, thus making room for the carrots to develop.

Where to Grow Vampire Carrots?
This variety grows well in zones 3 to 9. It prefers full sun and loose, well-drained soil. The best results are obtained in deep beds or raised garden beds allowing the roots to grow long and straight.

History and Traditional Uses
The Longue Rouge Sang is an old French variety known for its distinctive color and reliability since at least 1897. The nickname "Vampire" comes from the deep red pigmentation that intensifies at maturity, linking the playful modern character of the garden to an ancient heritage of traditional varieties.

Information for Canadian Zones
Zones 8-9: Sow directly outdoors from February, then mid-summer for a second harvest.
Zones 5-7: Sow 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost and continue with successive sowings.
Zones 3-4: Start indoors or in a cold frame early in spring; mulch heavily to retain warmth.

How to Grow and Harvest "Vampire" Carrots

Planting: Sow seeds 0.5 cm (¼ inch) deep, spacing plants 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart in rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart. Mix seeds with sand or radish seeds to improve spacing.
Watering: Keep the soil uniformly moist during germination and the initial growth phases.

Harvesting: Harvest when roots reach full size, or earlier for tender baby carrots.

Maintenance: Thin early to encourage good development; mulching helps retain moisture and limit weeds.

Tips for Seed Saving for Future Supply

Biennial Cycle: Allow some roots to overwinter to flower the following year.
Variety Isolation: Separate carrot varieties by approximately 1 km to prevent cross-pollination.
Seed Harvesting: Harvest seeds when dry and brown; clean carefully.
Storage: Store dry seeds in a cool, dark place. Seeds remain viable for 3 to 4 years.

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Islands Organic Producers Association (Certificate #1962)