{"product_id":"carrot-paris-market","title":"Carrot Paris Market","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDaucus carota 'Paris Market'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHeritage round-rooted baby carrot, French market tradition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe little round carrot that fits where ordinary carrots can't grow. Paris Market produces small, completely round (or slightly flattened) roots roughly the size of a golf ball, in a bright cheerful orange. The variety was bred for the heavy clay soils of the Paris market gardens in the nineteenth century, where deep-rooted varieties simply could not develop — the genius of Paris Market is that it produces a complete carrot in just the top few centimetres of soil. For UK gardeners with shallow soil, stony ground, heavy clay, or shallow containers, this is the variety that finally makes carrots work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe flavour is sweet, mild, and notably tender. These are baby-tender carrots designed for fresh eating rather than long storage — the sort you twist out of the soil, brush off, and eat straight away. Paris Market is the classic French market carrot precisely because it grows quickly, eats sweetly, and produces a cheerful, almost decorative root that brings something different to the plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe round form has practical advantages beyond clay soils: you can grow Paris Market in containers as shallow as 15cm, in window boxes, in raised beds, in pots on a balcony. Children find them fascinating — the surprise of pulling up something round rather than the expected long tapered root is genuinely delightful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eParis Market is open-pollinated heritage, meaning seed saved from your best plants will grow true the following year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow outdoors from March (under cloches) through to July, or in containers from April. Paris Market does not need the deep soil of a maincrop carrot — even a 15cm-deep container or heavy clay garden bed will produce a full crop. Sow seed thinly at 1cm depth in rows 15cm apart (closer than maincrop varieties). Germination takes 14–21 days. Thin seedlings in stages to 5–7cm apart between final plants — closer than long carrots because the roots themselves are smaller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike all carrots, \u003cstrong\u003ecarrot fly is the main pest\u003c\/strong\u003e. Cover with insect-proof mesh or fleece from sowing through to harvest, or grow alongside strongly-scented onions and chives whose smell masks the carrot. Water consistently to prevent cracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest from June onwards, just nine to ten weeks after sowing — one of the fastest carrots you can grow. Pull when the roots are 2–3cm across; larger fruits become slightly woody. Sow short rows every three weeks from April to July for continuous supply through summer and into autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the kitchen, Paris Market shines exactly because of its size and shape. Roast whole with rosemary and olive oil — no chopping needed. Steam whole and serve glazed with butter. Pickle whole in spiced vinegar — the round shape sits beautifully in jars. Add raw to salads halved or quartered. Glaze in honey and butter as a side. Genuinely outstanding as kids' food, where the novelty of round carrots overcomes the usual resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the garden, Paris Market is the variety that transforms what's possible. Heavy clay garden? Plant Paris Market. Stony ground? Plant Paris Market. No deep beds? Plant Paris Market in containers on the patio. The combination of fast growth, tolerance of difficult soils, and quirky appeal makes this one of the most flexible carrots in the catalogue. For a complete carrot season, pair early Paris Market harvests with later sowings of Autumn King 2 — quick salad carrots from June to August, maincrop storage carrots from October onwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCarrots benefit from companion planting that masks carrot fly's ability to locate them. Plant alongside onions, leeks, or chives, whose strong sulphur scents disguise the carrot smell. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/calendula-neon-seeds\"\u003eCalendula 'Neon'\u003c\/a\u003e attracts hoverflies and beneficial predators. Lettuce makes a useful intercrop — quick to mature and harvested before the carrots need the space. Avoid planting near dill or fennel, which can interfere with root development.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53657055822157,"sku":"sku-56889528123769","price":1.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0828\/6961\/6973\/files\/Carrot_Paris_Market_1.png?v=1775669333","url":"https:\/\/thefoalyard.co.uk\/products\/carrot-paris-market","provider":"The Foalyard","version":"1.0","type":"link"}