I've been thinking on this subject for a time. There are some old OP varieties that can stay in the ground for a long time without going off. There are even a few hybrids with long growing seasons. Here are some of my favorites, often planted here in the fall for overwintering. See also a Cornell carrot study linked below. Merida from Territorial Seed for overwintering Z5 and warmer (6 months) Bolero hybrid -- still the best all purpose carrot for fresh or storage. Kurota Chantenay, another Fall cropper and top Japanese keeper Autumn King 2 Carotene 200 -- great juicer Oxheart -- old stump-rooted and will keep in the ground, good juicer and flavor St. Valery, an old French variety Topweight Improved, another stump-rooted carrot of great weight Healthmaster hybrid, we plant in the Spring and harvest 130-150 days later Here is a link that might be useful: carrot performance and flavor in hot summers

Wow - that's a much wider spacing than I guessed. I may need to replant some tomorrow. For some reason, I thought they could be placed close together. Maybe that was onions. Well, this year is an experiment. Next year, I want to save good quality seed to share. mauirose - unfortunately, they are only purple on the outside. The inside is more yellow orange. bsntech - I had carrots over winter under shredded leaves, but I didn't try it with this variety this year. Glad to see more people seed-saving! Just FYI - carrots cross easily with Queen Ann's Lace and broccoli can be tricky. Do you have "Seed to Seed" by Suzanne Ashworth? Great book on seed saving! Bellatrix

I have some hollyhocks that I got in trade, says they are white with a purple center. Email me at mamahack@hotmail.com if you want to trade. Thanks much.

I've heard the frost sweetens them, sort of like parsnips. In AZ, I grow them in the winter and never protect them when it freezes. Does your seed packet or catalog description give you a date to maturity? If not, look up your County Extension agency and they should have a planting calendar.