🌿 Carrot ‘Flakkee Gigante’ Seeds – Large Late Variety by Franchi Seeds

Carrot ‘Flakkee Gigante’ (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a late‑maturing Flak carrot variety, renowned for producing large, long roots with a bright orange flesh and lighter core. Popular across Europe, this robust carrot thrives even in heavier soils, making it a reliable choice for gardeners with less‑than‑perfect ground conditions.

The roots are firm, sweet and versatile, ideal for slicing, juicing, roasting or storing. Its impressive size and solid texture make it particularly suitable for autumn harvests and winter storage. With approximately 7000 seeds per packet, this variety offers abundant yields for both home gardeners and small market growers.

🌱 Sowing information
Sow directly from March to July in well‑prepared soil. Carrots do not transplant well, so sow thinly in 1 cm‑deep drills spaced 25–30 cm apart. Cover lightly with fine soil and water gently. For staggered harvests, repeat sowings every 3–4 weeks through spring and early summer.

☀️ Light exposure
Prefers full sun for strong, even growth. Partial shade is tolerated but may reduce sweetness and root size.

💧 Water needs
Keep soil evenly moist, especially during germination and early growth. Avoid waterlogging in heavy soils; raised beds or ridges can help drainage while still supporting straight, smooth roots.

🌡️ Germination temperature & time
Seeds germinate at soil temperatures from 7–20 °C, taking 10–21 days to emerge. Early sowings benefit from fleece or cloches to warm the soil.

📏 Plant spacing & final size
Thin seedlings to 6–8 cm apart once they reach 2–3 cm tall. Roots can grow very large, often exceeding 25 cm in length, with a broad shoulder and cylindrical form.

🌼 Harvesting notes
Harvest from late summer into autumn. Lift carefully with a fork to avoid snapping. This variety stores well in cool, dry conditions, making it excellent for winter use.

Bullet Technical Data

🌱 Sowing depth: 1 cm in fine, stone‑free soil
📅 Ideal planting months for Ireland: March–July
☀️ Light requirements: Full sun; partial shade tolerated
🌡️ Germination time: 10–21 days at 7–20 °C
📏 Plant height: Foliage 25–35 cm tall; roots up to 25–30 cm long

🌱 Tips & Tricks for Growing (Garden Expert Section)

• This variety is well suited to heavy soils, unlike many carrots. Break up clods and remove stones to encourage straight roots.
• Avoid fresh manure before sowing, as it can cause forking. Instead, enrich soil with well‑rotted compost in the previous season.
• Companion planting: grows well alongside chard, chicory, lettuce, peas, tomatoes, leeks, radishes and spinach.
• Crop rotation: after carrots, sow cucumber, chicory, beans, endive, lettuce, melon, peas, radish or courgette to maintain soil health.
• To reduce carrot fly risk, use fine mesh or fleece barriers and thin seedlings on still evenings.

🍴 Garden-to-Table Recipe (for 4 people)

Rustic Flakkee Carrot & Lentil Stew

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• 600–700 g ‘Flakkee Gigante’ carrots, peeled and cut into thick chunks
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 150 g red lentils
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley to garnish

Method – step-by-step

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
2. Add carrot chunks, paprika and bay leaf; stir for 2–3 minutes.
3. Add lentils and vegetable stock, bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes until carrots are tender and lentils creamy.
5. Season with salt and pepper, remove bay leaf, and garnish with parsley.

Serving suggestions & variations
Serve with crusty bread or ladle over steamed rice. For a Mediterranean twist, add diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of oregano; for extra richness, stir in a spoonful of crème fraîche before serving.