Zanahoria Corazón de Buey
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
De un vistazo
La zanahoria Corazón de Buey (Daucus carota) es una variedad heritage francesa con raíces cortas, anchas y cónicas de 10-15 cm que se ensanchan hasta 8-10 cm de diámetro, con forma que recuerda a un corazón de buey. Es ideal para suelos pesados y arcillosos donde las zanahorias largas no pueden crecer, y su pulpa es excepcionalmente dulce, tierna y prácticamente sin corazón fibroso.
Calendario de plantación y cosecha
Etapas de crecimiento
De la semilla a la cosecha
Germinación
Las semillas de zanahoria Oxheart son diminutas y germinan despacio; normalmente tardan 14-21 días en suelos con temperaturas de 10-25 °C. Primero emerge la radícula fina y filamentosa, seguida de cotiledones delgados, parecidos a hierba, que no se parecen en nada a las hojas verdaderas, más plumosas, que vendrán después. La germinación es irregular si la superficie del suelo forma costra o se seca.
💡 Consejo de cuidado
Mantén el semillero constantemente húmedo — cúbrelo con una capa fina de vermiculita o arpillera hasta que aparezcan los brotes. Siembra las semillas solo a 6 mm de profundidad. Mezclarlas con semillas de rábano ayuda a marcar las filas y a romper la costra del suelo para las zanahorias más lentas.
Oxheart carrot seedlings emerge 14-21 days after sowing — patience is key with these slow starters
Calendario de cuidado mensual
Qué hacer cada mes para tu Zanahoria Corazón de Buey
Mayo
Mes actualContinue succession sowings every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Thin established rows to final spacing of 8-10 cm — Oxheart needs wider spacing than standard carrots to develop its broad shoulders. Apply a thin layer of straw mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
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Datos fascinantes sobre Zanahoria Corazón de Buey
Oxheart carrots were developed in France in the mid-1800s under the name 'Guerande' and quickly became the carrot of choice for heavy clay soils across Europe — their short, stout shape pushes through dense ground that would deform or fork a longer variety.
Siembre directamente a 0,5-1 cm de profundidad en surcos separados 20-30 cm. Germinación en 14-21 días. Mezcle semillas con arena para distribución uniforme. Las semillas son diminutas y necesitan suelo constantemente húmedo para germinar.
Aclare a 8-10 cm (más espacio que las zanahorias normales) cuando las plántulas tengan 5 cm, ya que las raíces se ensanchan mucho. Riegue regularmente con 2,5 cm semanales. La Corazón de Buey es especialmente adecuada para suelos pesados, arcillosos o poco profundos.
Fertilice con abono bajo en nitrógeno y rico en fósforo y potasio. Evite estiércol fresco que causa raíces deformes. Las zanahorias Corazón de Buey maduran más rápido que las variedades largas, en 65-75 días.
Oxheart thrives in heavy or shallow soils where longer carrot varieties would fork and struggle
The Oxheart carrot (also known as Guerande) traces its origins to the market gardens of Guerande in the Loire-Atlantique region of western France, where it was developed in the 1840s-1850s. French market gardeners bred this distinctively short, wide variety specifically for the heavy clay soils common in the region — soils where the long, tapered carrots popular at the time would fork, twist, and break during harvest. The Oxheart's blunt, heart-shaped root could be grown successfully in shallow or rocky ground, making it invaluable to farmers with less-than-ideal soil conditions.
The variety quickly spread across Europe and arrived in North America by the 1880s, where it appeared in the seed catalogs of major companies like Vilmorin in France and W. Atlee Burpee in the United States. Victorian-era gardeners prized Oxheart for its exceptional storage qualities and its unusually sweet, dense flesh that made superior soups and stews. By the early 1900s, Oxheart was one of the most widely grown carrot varieties in home gardens on both sides of the Atlantic, valued for its reliability in difficult soils and its resistance to cracking and splitting.
The rise of commercial agriculture in the mid-20th century pushed Oxheart out of the mainstream in favor of uniform, long, slender varieties like Imperator that could be machine-harvested and packed efficiently. However, Oxheart was preserved by heirloom seed savers and has experienced a strong revival among home gardeners and specialty farmers since the 1990s. Its forgiving nature in clay and rocky soils, its exceptional flavor when roasted or pureed, and its impressive yields by weight make it increasingly popular in the modern kitchen garden. Today, Oxheart is recognized as one of the classic heirloom carrot varieties and remains a testament to the practical wisdom of 19th-century French market gardeners.
Siembre directamente a 0,5-1 cm de profundidad. No trasplanta. Mezcle semillas con arena fina. Germinación en 14-21 días. Mantenga suelo constantemente húmedo durante germinación.
La gran ventaja de la Corazón de Buey es su adaptabilidad a suelos pesados, arcillosos y poco profundos donde otras zanahorias no crecen bien. pH 6,0-7,0. Fertilice con fósforo y potasio, sin nitrógeno excesivo.
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15°C – 24°C
59°F – 75°F
Oxheart carrots are a cool-season crop that produces the sweetest, densest roots when daytime temperatures stay between 15-24°C (60-75°F). Seeds germinate in soil as cool as 7°C (45°F) but optimal germination occurs at 10-25°C (50-77°F). Growth slows above 30°C (86°F) and roots may develop a bitter flavor and pale color in sustained heat. Flavor is best when roots mature during cool autumn weather — light frosts actually trigger starch-to-sugar conversion, producing noticeably sweeter carrots.
Problemas comunes que afectan a Zanahoria Corazón de Buey y cómo prevenirlos y tratarlos de forma orgánica.
En suelos sueltos y profundos las raíces pueden crecer irregularmente. El aclareo insuficiente produce raíces pequeñas y deformes. La germinación es lenta e irregular como todas las zanahorias.
- 1Do not amend Oxheart beds with fresh manure or nitrogen-rich compost — excess nitrogen produces lush, ferny tops with forked, hairy, bitter roots. Use aged compost or a low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) applied at planting time only.
- 2Oxheart is the ideal carrot for clay and heavy soils. Where Nantes and Imperator types fork and deform, Oxheart pushes its broad, blunt root straight down through dense ground. If your soil is truly heavy clay, grow Oxheart in raised beds with 20 cm of loosened soil and you will be rewarded.
- 3Thin early and thin aggressively. Oxheart needs 8-10 cm between plants — more than standard varieties — because the roots expand sideways to 8-12 cm across at the shoulder. Crowded Oxheart carrots produce stunted, misshapen roots.
- 4Water deeply and consistently, but avoid waterlogging. Irregular moisture causes the dense roots to crack and split as they expand. A soaker hose delivering 2.5 cm of water weekly is ideal. Mulch with straw to maintain even soil moisture.
- 5Sow in succession every 3 weeks from early spring through midsummer for continuous harvest. The final sowing, timed to mature during cool autumn weather, will produce the sweetest carrots of the season as cold temperatures convert root starches to sugars.
- 6Harvest Oxheart with a garden fork, never by pulling the tops. The wide shoulders grip the soil tightly and the tops will snap off, leaving the root stuck underground. Loosen soil on both sides of the row, then gently lever the roots upward.
- 7For winter storage, leave autumn-sown Oxheart in the ground and cover with 15-20 cm of straw mulch. In zones 6-9, carrots stored this way remain crisp and sweet through January or February and taste better than anything you could buy.
- 8Interplant Oxheart with onions, leeks, or chives — the allium scent confuses and repels carrot rust fly, the most damaging carrot pest. Alternatively, cover rows with fine insect netting from sowing time through harvest.
Coseche cuando las raíces tengan 10-15 cm de largo y 7-10 cm de diámetro, unos 65-75 días tras la siembra. Las raíces cortas y anchas son fáciles de extraer del suelo sin dañarlas. Tire del follaje o use una horquilla ligera.
The classic Oxheart shape — short, blunt, and wide, often reaching 10-12 cm across at the shoulder
Se conservan en refrigerador 3-4 semanas sin lavar. En arena húmeda en bodega fría durante meses. Su forma compacta las hace ideales para almacenamiento. Congele en cubos o rodajas escaldadas.
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Información nutricional
Por porción de 100g
41
Calorías
Beneficios para la salud
- Exceptionally rich in beta-carotene — the body converts this to vitamin A, and Oxheart's deep orange flesh contains more than most standard carrot varieties, providing over 300% of the daily value per 100g
- Contains lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoid antioxidants that accumulate in the retina and protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts
- Good source of dietary fiber (2.8g per 100g), supporting digestive regularity and feeding beneficial gut bacteria in the lower intestine
- Provides potassium (320mg per 100g) which helps regulate blood pressure and supports proper muscle and nerve function
- Contains polyacetylenes — unique bioactive compounds found in carrots that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties in laboratory studies
- Low glycemic index despite sweet taste — the fiber content slows sugar absorption, making carrots a healthy choice even for blood sugar management
💰 ¿Por qué cultivar tus propios?
A packet of Oxheart carrot seeds ($2-4) contains 500-1000 seeds — enough to grow 50-100 kg of carrots worth $150-400 at grocery store prices of $3-4 per kg for organic carrots. Even accounting for thinning losses and imperfect germination, a single 3-meter row produces 10-15 kg of carrots worth $30-60. The massive individual root size of Oxheart means less prep work per kilogram compared to standard varieties. Carrots stored properly in sand or refrigeration last 3-6 months, reducing winter grocery bills substantially.
The dense, fine-grained flesh of Oxheart has an exceptionally small core and intense sweet flavor
Recetas rápidas
Recetas sencillas con Zanahoria Corazón de Buey frescos
Honey-Glazed Roasted Oxheart Carrots
35 minThick Oxheart halves roasted at high heat until deeply caramelized, then finished with a honey-thyme glaze. The dense flesh of Oxheart holds its shape beautifully and develops an almost creamy interior while the edges crisp and caramelize.
Creamy Oxheart Carrot Soup
40 minA velvety, naturally sweet soup that showcases the intense flavor of Oxheart carrots. The dense, low-moisture flesh produces a remarkably thick and creamy soup without needing cream or potato as a thickener.
Oxheart Carrot and Ginger Slaw
15 minA bright, crunchy raw slaw that highlights the natural sweetness and firm texture of freshly grated Oxheart carrot. The wide, dense roots produce thick, satisfying shreds that hold their crunch far longer than standard carrot varieties.
Roasting brings out the exceptional natural sweetness that makes Oxheart a culinary favorite
Calculadora de Rendimiento y Espaciado
Vea cuántas plantas de Zanahoria Corazón de Buey caben en su cama de jardín basándose en el espaciado recomendado de 10cm.
144
Zanahoria Corazón de Buey plantas en una cama de 4×4 ft
12 columnas × 12 filas a 10cm de espaciado
Variedades populares
Algunas de las variedades de zanahoria corazón de buey más populares para jardineros caseros, cada una con características únicas.
Oxheart (Guerande)
La variedad heritage francesa original con raíces de 10-12 cm en forma de corazón. Muy dulce y tierna. 65-75 días.
Short 'n Sweet
Selección moderna más uniforme con raíces de 10 cm, perfecta para suelos difíciles y contenedores. 68 días.
Danvers Half Long
Variedad americana similar pero ligeramente más alargada. Muy adaptable a diferentes suelos. 70 días.
Chantenay Red Core
Emparentada con forma cónica similar, corazón rojo y sabor dulce. Excelente almacenamiento. 70 días.
La Corazón de Buey es excepcional asada entera por su forma compacta, donde se carameliza bellamente. Es perfecta para sopas cremosas, purés sedosos por su falta de corazón fibroso, y en guisos donde mantiene su forma. Rallada cruda es dulce y tierna.
¿Cuándo debo plantar Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
Planta Zanahoria Corazón de Buey en Marzo, Abril, Julio, Agosto. Toma aproximadamente 80 días para madurar, con cosecha típicamente en Junio, Julio, Octubre, Noviembre.
¿Cuáles son buenas plantas acompañantes para Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
Zanahoria Corazón de Buey crece bien junto a Guisantes, Lechuga, Cebolla. El cultivo acompañante puede mejorar el crecimiento, sabor y control natural de plagas.
¿En qué zonas de rusticidad puede crecer Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
Zanahoria Corazón de Buey prospera en zonas de rusticidad USDA 2 a 10. Con protección de invernadero, puede cultivarse en zonas 1 a 11.
¿Cuánto sol necesita Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
Zanahoria Corazón de Buey requiere Sol completo (6-8h+). Esto significa al menos 6-8 horas de luz solar directa diaria.
¿A qué distancia debo espaciar Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
Espacia las plantas de Zanahoria Corazón de Buey a 10cm (4 pulgadas) para crecimiento óptimo y circulación de aire.
¿Qué plagas y enfermedades afectan a Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
Los problemas comunes incluyen Mosca de la zanahoria (Psila rosae), Tizón foliar (Alternaria dauci), Pudrición de la raíz (Pythium spp.). La prevención a través de buenas prácticas de jardinería como rotación de cultivos, espaciado adecuado y cultivo acompañante es el mejor enfoque. Consulta la sección de plagas y enfermedades para más detalles.
¿Cómo almaceno Zanahoria Corazón de Buey después de la cosecha?
Se conservan en refrigerador 3-4 semanas sin lavar. En arena húmeda en bodega fría durante meses. Su forma compacta las hace ideales para almacenamiento. Congele en cubos o rodajas escaldadas.
¿Cuáles son las mejores variedades de Zanahoria Corazón de Buey para cultivar?
Las variedades populares incluyen Oxheart (Guerande), Short 'n Sweet, Danvers Half Long, Chantenay Red Core. Cada una tiene características únicas adaptadas a diferentes condiciones de cultivo y preferencias culinarias. Consulta la sección de variedades para descripciones detalladas.
¿Qué suelo necesita Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
La gran ventaja de la Corazón de Buey es su adaptabilidad a suelos pesados, arcillosos y poco profundos donde otras zanahorias no crecen bien. pH 6,0-7,0. Fertilice con fósforo y potasio, sin nitrógeno excesivo.
Why are my Oxheart carrots forked or misshapen?
Forking is usually caused by rocky or compacted soil, fresh manure in the bed, or overcrowding. Oxheart is more forgiving of heavy soil than most varieties, but still needs soil loosened to at least 20 cm depth with stones removed. Never add fresh manure — use only well-aged compost. Thin to 8-10 cm spacing and ensure consistent watering, as alternating wet and dry conditions also contribute to deformed roots.
How big should Oxheart carrots be before harvesting?
Oxheart can be harvested young at 6-8 cm across for tender baby carrots, but reaches peak flavor and size at 80-100 days when shoulders are 8-12 cm wide and roots weigh 300-500 grams. Unlike slender varieties, Oxheart does not become woody at large sizes — the dense flesh stays sweet and tender even when roots are very large. Check size by gently brushing soil away from the top of the root.
Can I grow Oxheart carrots in containers?
Yes, Oxheart is one of the best carrot varieties for containers because its roots are only 10-15 cm long. Use a container at least 20 cm deep and 30 cm wide. Fill with a loose, sandy potting mix free of lumps and stones. Sow seeds directly in the container and thin to 8-10 cm apart. Keep soil consistently moist and feed monthly with diluted liquid fertilizer. A single large container can produce 4-6 substantial roots.
Why are my Oxheart carrots green at the top?
Green shoulders occur when the expanding root crown pushes above the soil line and is exposed to sunlight, triggering chlorophyll production. While not harmful, the green portion tastes bitter. Prevent this by hilling up soil or mulch around the exposed crowns as the roots expand. Check every 1-2 weeks during the root-bulking stage and cover any visible shoulders immediately.
How long can I store Oxheart carrots after harvest?
Oxheart stores exceptionally well due to its dense, low-moisture flesh. Remove tops immediately after harvest (leaving 1 cm of stem) as foliage draws moisture from the root. In the refrigerator, unwashed roots in perforated plastic bags last 3-4 months. In a root cellar at 0-4°C packed in damp sand, Oxheart can last 5-6 months. Left in the ground under heavy mulch in zones 6-9, roots stay fresh and sweet all winter.
What is the difference between Oxheart and other short carrot varieties like Chantenay?
Oxheart and Chantenay are both short, stout varieties suited to heavy soils, but Oxheart is broader and blunter — shaped like a flattened heart up to 12 cm across, while Chantenay is more conical and tapers to a point. Oxheart produces larger individual roots (300-500g vs 150-250g for Chantenay) and has denser, sweeter flesh. Chantenay matures slightly faster (65-80 days vs 80-100 days) and is better for canning, while Oxheart excels for fresh eating, roasting, and soups.
¿Listo para cultivar Zanahoria Corazón de Buey?
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Vladimir Kusnezow
Jardinero y desarrollador de software
Jardinero de zona 6b. Cultivo hortalizas y frutas en tierra e hidroponía desde hace 6 años. Creé PlotMyGarden para planificar mis propios jardines.
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