A fistful of carrots pulled from the garden brings out the childlike delight in everyone! There’s a whole rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes to choose from. Gardeners with clay soil should choose short, stocky-shaped varieties for the best results, while growers working with looser soil will have better luck with the long and slender types. Carrots are a cool-weather crop best grown in spring and fall, and always taste sweetest after being frost-nipped.