Carrot (Daucus carota) varieties are categorized by their shape. A few varieties are supercharged with vitamins, and some nonorange-colored varieties and many hybrids have added vigor and disease resistance.

If you’re trying to decide which carrot variety to grow, consider your type of soil as well as the use you plan for the carrots. The table below shows the common types of carrots and their characteristics. All the types listed, except Baby carrots and Imperators, range in size from 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm). Baby carrots may be varieties that are naturally short or larger varieties harvested at an immature stage. All types are easy to grow and worth trying in your garden.

Knowing a carrot’s variety can help you decide which carrot to grow. The carrot varieties in the following list are flavorful, disease resistant, and easy to grow. All are good for baking. The days to maturity are from seeding in the ground until first harvest, although early season carrot varieties are flavorful even if you harvest them before they fully mature.

• ‘Baby Spike’: Maturing in 50 days, this 3- to 4-inch (8- to 10-cm) Baby carrot holds its shape (stays sweet and small even if you forget to harvest it on time) well past maturity.

• ‘Bolero’: Nantes-type carrot has extra disease resistance and stores well. Matures in 72 days.

• ‘Healthmaster’: Danvers-type variety grows up to 10 inches (25 cm) long, matures in 110 days, and contains 30 percent more vitamin A than other carrot varieties.

• ‘Imperator’: Imperator-type variety is long and narrow and has a deep orange color. Matures in 70 days.

• ‘Short ’n Sweet’: Four-inch (10 cm) Chantenay-type carrot grows well in heavy clay soil. Matures in 68 days.