How to grow carrots

the carrot is a plant with edible roots cultivated for a long time originating in the Middle East and since antiquity has spread throughout the Mediterranean basin.

It is a vegetable that is not particularly difficult to grow, but requires soft, sandy soil , so it does not grow well in all orchards. However, with proper care, decent carrots can be obtained.

carrot seeds ( Daucus carrot ) are rather slow to germinate and it is best to plant them directly in the field, instead of putting them in the seedbed, as carrots do not support a graft.

We all know carrots as orange vegetables, but the funny thing is that they were originally dark in color, usually purple. The current orange color spread following a selection made by some Dutch growers in 1600, in honor of the Orange dynasty. Today, orange carrots have become so prevalent that they are the norm, while purple carrots have recovered and are found as rarities.

Contents [Ocultar]

• The right soil for carrots

• soil preparation

  • How much to fertilize carrots

• How and when to plant carrots

  • planting period

  • do not transplant

  • keep the right distance

  • how to sow

• How to grow carrots

• Main carrot diseases

• Insects and pests: biological defense

• When to Pick Carrots

• carrot varieties

The right soil for carrots

Soil is the real rock for those who want to grow carrots.

This root vegetable prefers loose, loose soils. with water drainage that does not cause root rot.

Stony or very compact soils They are not good because they provide physical resistance and hinder proper root development. If the soil hardens, the carrots remain small or become deformed and twisted.

Those with sandy soil are lucky and will more easily get excellent sized carrots, while those whose soil tends to compact for more suitable soil may mix sand with earth of their garden, where they plan to grow carrots. This should be done at least two months before planting. It also helps create a raised bed .

soil preparation

Before planting carrots the ground must be worked in such a way that it is well drained and loose then a deep excavation should be made (ideally reaching a depth of 30 cm or more), disposing of compost or any other organic fertilizer.

In addition to working with the shovel, it is also important fine-tune the surface with a hoe or a cutter, and level it with a rake, since very small seeds will be sown directly in the garden.

How much to fertilize carrots

The carrot is a plant with roots, so it is good to fertilize it without excess nitrogen, which would end up favoring the development of the leaves to the detriment of the underground part, which interests us to harvest.

In this case, it is generally better to use compost rather than manure and to avoid manure.

Adding organic matter to the soil is essential, because it has a soothing function: it softens the soil and partially “corrects” the faults of soil that is a little too clayey. In addition, the organic substance is also valuable for properly retaining water. For this reason, it is good to use soil amendments rich in substances such as compost, instead of liquid fertilizers or soluble granules.

How and when to plant carrots

Planting is an important time for carrots and can be done for most of the year. Pay special attention to avoid transplanting and place the carrots at the right distance.

planting period

carrots need weather not very hot , because the root hardens if the temperature is very high. In general, however, they adapt to all climates, while they are definitely more choosy about the type of soil they find. For this reason, the possible cultivation period is very wide.

this vegetable it is usually sown in the spring, between March and June . In the home garden, it is advisable to sow several times to have a scalar production. There are early varieties which can be sown in February and late varieties which can be sown until October, if you help with a tunnel to preserve the vegetable from frost it can be harvest carrots practically all year round .

Do not do transplants

As a taproot plant carrots should not be planted in the nursery: this vegetable should be planted directly in the ground. The carrot does not tolerate a possible passage from pots to the garden: if it is planted in tubs, the development of the roots is conditioned and it is very likely that one obtains deformed carrots.

keep the right distance

It can be planted in rows but it is preferable to do it in rows, avoiding short distances, which create too much competition between the roots. The distance between the rows should be 25 cm, while along the row it should be at least 5 cm (the optimal distance between the plants is 8 cm, we can decide to thin out later). The seed should be buried to a maximum depth of one centimeter.

how to sow

Carrot seed is very small, sowing can be facilitated mix sand with the seeds or by making strips of newspaper soaked in a natural glue (cocoin type) to bury. There is also prepared seed strips spread or candied seeds, larger because of the coating. In any case, it is necessary to check that the sugaring or the ribbon is made from natural substances, to guarantee compliance with the organic method.