Carrotis a root vegetable willingly grown in allotment and home gardens. See what arethe best varieties of carrots for the plot , learn about the soil requirements of this vegetable, the rules of care and fertilization, as well as ecological ways to protect carrots against diseases and pests. Here is a practical guidegrowing carrots in the plot
Growing carrots on the plot
Carrotsis valued for its taste and rich content of beta-carotene (provitamin A), which has a positive effect on the organ of vision.It also contains many other vitamins (vitamins B, E, H, K and PP) and minerals (iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium). It can be eaten all year round - raw, cooked and in a variety of preserves. It is also recommended to drink carrot juice. You can prepare low-calorie dishes from it. The amateurcultivation of carrots on the plotis also supported by the low heat and fertilization requirements of this vegetable.
Growing carrots on the plot
Heat requirements of carrots
Carrots have low thermal requirements, thanks to whichcarrot cultivationis possible anywhere in Poland. It can grow at 5 to 35 ° C, although the best-developed roots grow at 15 to 21 ° C. Carrot roots become elongated and thin when the temperature is too low, and when the temperature is too high - they are much shorter and thick.
Note!The position of carrot cultivation should be sunny, because then its roots will be characterized by a high content of carotene and sugars.
Soil and fertilization requirements for carrots
Carrots require light, sandy loam, humus and moist soil with low nitrogen content and a pH of 6.0 - 6.8. If it is necessary to limescale the soil in order to raise its pH, the treatment must be carried out at least a year in advance, because carrots do not like freshly limed soils.
Manure should not be used immediately before sowing carrots.Growing carrotsis possible not earlier than in the second year after the manure. Sowing carrots into the soil freshly fertilized with manure will cause the roots to distort and fork, and the plant will become an easy prey for carrot glitter - the most dangerous pest of carrots.
Carrots can be sown in soils where green manure was plowed in in autumn, and compost can also be applied directly under the carrots. Carrots have a high potassium requirement. It can be supplemented withcarrot fertilizationpotassium sulphate or wood ash.
Watering carrots
Carrots are best grown in areas with groundwater levels between 1 and 3 meters. The soil in the carrot beds should be moist, but not excessively wet. Carrots are most sensitive to drought during emergence and intensive growth, when the lack of water causes a significant drop in yield. During these periods it is therefore necessary to regularlywatering the carrotsIf we grow carrots in a place that is too humid, in heavy and wet soil, its roots will distort, fork and split.
Carrots in rotation
Carrots should be grown in rotation, so that the vegetable on the same flower beds is not sown more often than once every 3 years. Carrots are one of the vegetables with an average nitrogen requirement but a high potassium requirement. Therefore, after fertilization with manure, it is recommended to grow vegetables with a high nitrogen demand, and only thencarrots Carrots are deep-rooting vegetables, so it is good to grow them after shallow-root vegetables. It should not be grown directly after other root vegetables, such as parsley, celery or beetroot.
Next to the carrots it is worth planting radishes and lettuce
Fig. depositphotos.com
Carrots in a 3-year crop rotationcan be grown after vegetables such as cauliflower, cucumber, pumpkin, radish, white and red cabbage, savoy cabbage, sweet corn. In the second year, we sow carrots, and in the third, peas or beans. Then we fertilize with manure and repeat the crop rotation again.
Carrots in a 4-year crop rotation- in the first year, you can sow cabbage and cauliflower after the manure, in the second - peas, beans and broad beans, in the third - onions, followed by an aftercrop of white mustard and and finally, in the fourth year, the carrots.
Carrot coordinate
When growing carrots on the plot, it is worth taking advantage of the benefits of coordinating vegetables. A good neighborhood for carrots is onions and garden dill. Tomatoes are undesirable neighbors for carrot beds.
Good to knowA practical way to protect carrots without chemicals is to alternate the cultivation of carrots with onions. The onion scares off the carrot shrub - a common pest of carrots, and the vicinity of carrots prevents the occurrence of the popular onion pest, which is onion cream.
When to sow carrots?
Carrots can be sown in the period from late March to early June. Sowing into soil is recommended only when the soil warms up to 7 ° C. Before that, carrots can be sown under low covers or in an inspection. The seeds are sown at a depth of 1 to 2 cm, in rows every 15 - 30 cm. A growing plant requires regular watering, weeding and loosening the soil between the rows.
Harvesting carrots
Harvesting early carrot varieties is possible from June (8 weeks after sowing). Depending on the sowing date, carrots can be harvested until October, however, carrots harvested early have a more delicate flavor. Carrots intended for winter storage are harvested in October. It is worth remembering that both too early harvest and too long storage can make carrots bitter.
Varieties of carrots per plot
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An early variety with a short, 70-day growing season. Often found in amateur crops. The slightly conical shaped roots are 23 to 28 cm long. The color of the root is intense, red-orange. The small amount of fibers combined with the high sugar content contribute to the delicious taste of this variety's roots.The roots boil quickly without losing their color and can also be frozen.
Carrot 'Amsterdam NOE'
Early variety. Dark orange, brittle and juicy roots, reach a length of about 15 cm. Sowing from March to May into the ground, spacing from 3 to 6 cm and 30 to 40 cm between the rows, harvest from July to September. It is suitable for growing under cover, in an inspection and in the ground.
"Carrot Kalina F1
"Early variety. Dark orange roots reach a length of 20 cm. They are tasty, contain a lot of sugars and carotene. Sowing from March to May. Spacing of 3 to 6 cm in rows and 30 to 40 cm between rows. Harvest from August to September.
"Nantean Carrots "
"Mid-early variety. The roots are about 15 cm long. Cylindrical shape. The flesh is delicate, brittle, very tasty. Sowing from March to May, harvest from July to October. From delayed sowing, it is suitable for storage.
"Carrots Perfection
"Late variety. The roots are red and orange, up to 19 cm long and weigh 250 grams. Harvest from August to October. They are suitable for direct consumption and winter storage.
"Carrots PURPLE HAZE F1 (purple)
"Medium early variety (100-110 days). The root is 20-25 cm long, characteristically colored. The intense orange flesh contrasts with the dark purple, striped skin.The purple hue fades when cooked.
"Compared to ordinary carrots, it is distinguished by an increased content of vitamins, carotene and lycopine, which protects against free radicals."
Lycopine is one of the strongest natural antioxidants, slows down the aging process.Sowing directly into the ground to a depth of 1.5-2 cm from the end of March to mid-May. Harvest from August to September.
People looking for high-qualitycarrot seeds to grow in a garden or plot , we recommend the shop of our guide.We sell carrot varieties that yield very well and are resistant to diseases and unfavorable growing conditions. By sowing these seeds you will see how easy it can be to grow carrots in your garden. To see the seeds offer, click on the image below.
