Purple carrot Gniff BIO - Daucus carota

Purple on the outside, white on the inside – a traditional Swiss carrot. Gniff is an old carrot variety from Ticino, the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland. The roots have purple skin and a white or cream-colored center, and their flavor is exceptionally aromatic. This variety stores well, making it ideal for growing with autumn and winter supplies in mind.

At a glance

• Growth habit: biennial grown as an annual, foliage approx. 30 cm tall
• Roots: purple on the outside, white inside, very aromatic
• Direct sowing: April – June, in rows 30 cm apart
• Thinning: to 5 cm, then after two weeks to 7–10 cm
• Harvest: June – November; roots for storage 5–6 months after sowing
• Position: sunny, light, sandy, well-drained soil
• Difficulty: easy
• Seeds per packet: approx. 2,000 (2 g)

What makes this variety special

Gniff is a collector's variety, rarely found outside Switzerland. Its cross-section stands out for its contrasting colors – dark purple skin surrounds a pale core, making it attractive both raw and cooked in a mix with orange and yellow carrots.

Semailles notes that colored carrot varieties – purple, yellow, and white – are less frequently attacked by carrot flies than orange varieties. Another major advantage is their good keeping quality: roots harvested in autumn can be stored in a cellar or clamp for many months.

How to grow, step by step

Sowing (April – June): Sow the seeds directly outdoors in rows 30 cm apart, cover with a layer of soil about 1 cm deep, and gently firm it down. Earlier sowing, from March, is possible under a polytunnel or in a cold frame. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge, which takes 8–15 days.

Thinning: When the plants have 3–4 leaves, thin them to about 5 cm apart, then after a further two weeks to 7–10 cm apart. To sow more thinly and make thinning less labor-intensive, mix the seeds with dry sand.

Care: Carrots grow best in light, sandy, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, but not freshly manured. Water moderately and evenly. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Harvesting and storage: Harvest roots intended for storage about 5–6 months after sowing, before severe frosts. Cut the foliage close to the root crown, leave the roots on the ground for a day to dry, then store them unwashed in a cool cellar or clamp.

Uses

Gniff is especially tasty cooked – on its own or mixed with other colorful carrots. It is excellent in soups, roasted vegetables, and stews, while thinly sliced or grated, it makes an eye-catching addition to salads. Its good keeping quality lets you enjoy your homegrown harvest throughout the winter.

Gardener's tip

About the producer

The seeds come from Semailles – a Belgian artisan producer of organic seeds based in the province of Namur, Wallonia. Semailles offers only open-pollinated varieties (no F1 hybrids), including many traditional and collector's varieties. Some seeds are propagated on its own fields, while others are produced in partnership with organic growers in Belgium and France. All batches are certified organic (inspection BE-BIO-01).

Specifications