If for most of us a carrot is orange, you should know that the old carrots are originally white! It was not until the end of the 18th century that the new orange varieties from the Netherlands became popular in France. And it is also from this time that the white varieties are gradually abandoned, or grown more than for fodder purposes. Such is the case with the famous ‘Blanche des Vosges’ root, a traditional regional variety that has fallen into oblivion and is once again up-to-date thanks to its current appeal to forgotten heirloom vegetables.
A hardy, productive old variety adapted to the mountains!
Carrot ‘Blanche des Vosges’ is a French variety that, as the name suggests, originates from eastern France. This Vosges root is said to be very old, having been grown and consumed in Lorraine for over 400 years (since the 1650s). It is a medium-length type, very productive and flavoursome. It produces beautiful white, stubby and very shoulder-length carrots about 20 cm long. It is particularly hardy and resistant to cold. It is a variety particularly suitable for mountain areas due to its ability to grow in shallow land. It is a variety with a very good yield and good winter storage.
Illustration of Carotte blanche des Vosges by Vilmorin-Andrieux 1883
How do you grow and harvest carrot ‘Blanche des Vosges’?
The seeds of this variety are sown in open ground from April to June, one seed every 4 to 5 cm, in rows 25 to 30 cm apart at a depth of one centimeter in rich, loose and open soil , very sunny. By sowing from 20 May, carrot fly flights and outliers caused by sowing too early are partly prevented. If the seedling is too dense, thin out. Harvest takes place between June and November, depending on the sowing period and use. In general, this young variety is harvested until the end of summer, when it is very tender and tasty. Larger, the root becomes a bit fibrous, it is then rather used as food. The yield and storage of this variety are excellent. Please note: this variety is not suitable for sowing too early or under shelter.
As a landscape architect and geographer by training, I am passionate about the plant world and its countless curiosities. Founder of the Rexania blog and activist for gardening in harmony with nature, I am also an Alsatian gardener, ardent defender of ancient, free and reproducible varieties.
