Carrots are sweet-tasting roots, and very easy to grow. You just need to know how to choose the right soil for growth and make sure the climate is optimal. They generally adapt to any climate, but it is better if the temperatures are not too high. As a guideline, it should be between 15 and 25 degrees.
These are edible root plants that have been cultivated for a long time. They are native to the Middle East and since ancient times it has also 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 develop well in all gardens. With the necessary precautions, you can still get decent carrots.
How to plant carrots
Sowing carrots can be done at any time, taking into account the needs of the chosen variety. In fact, there are early carrots and late carrots. This plant cannot be planted in the pot, as it is a taproot that must be planted directly into the ground. The seeds of the Daucus carota, as the plant is technically called, they are quite slow to germinate, and it is best to plant them directly in the ground, instead of putting them in a seedbed, because the carrot does not usually tolerate a transplant.
Indicated soil
The soil is the real obstacle for those who want to grow carrots. This root vegetable prefers soft, loose soil, with drips of water that do not cause root rot. In stony or very compact soils they do not develop well because they offer physical resistance and hinder the correct development of the roots. If the soil hardens, the plants become small or they become deformed and twisted.
Those who have a sandy soil are lucky and will more easily get excellent sized carrotsWhile those who have a soil that tends to compact should intervene by adding some light substrate to improve drainage, such as the apricot or clay, so they will have a more suitable soil. You have to mix it well, in equal parts, before planting them.
Soil preparation
Before planting carrots, the soil must be worked so that it is well drained and loose, so it is necessary to carry out a deep excavation (ideally reaching a depth of 30 cm or more), placing compost or other organic fertilizer. In addition to the blade work, it is also important to fine tune the surface well., with a hoe, and level it with a garden rake, since then we will sow very small seeds directly in the garden.
In summary, to know how to plant carrots you must do this:
- Proceed by digging before the holes at least 40 cm deep and at a distance of 8 cm from each other, in the same row. While between one row and another you must leave at least 25 cm.
- The seeds are scattered and then covered with moist but well-drained soil, to prevent water stagnation from forming. Some soak the seeds in water before placing them in the ground. This helps accelerate growth.
- The soil must be soft, free of gravel and pebbles. For good results, sand can be added. Remember to add compost to promote growth.
Planting carrots in pots
If you have little space, you can always choose to plant carrots in pots and thus enrich your garden on the balcony. In this case, you should be careful to focus on a small variety of carrots, such as "Parisian red." The root of this plant is always edible, but obviously it is better to wait for it to grow a little, otherwise there will not be much to eat. Observing the plant in the neck, or at the limit digging delicately with the finger, we can get an idea of the diameter that the root reaches.
When growing in pots, watering plays a key role. We regulate the water so that the soil is never too dry, but we avoid water stagnation that could generate mold and give problems to our carrot seedlings.
Choice of pot and soil
After choosing the desired carrot variety (such as Parisian red), we must decide which pot to use for growing carrots on the balcony and then choose the soil with which to fill it. The ideal pot should have a depth of 40-50 cm to allow space for deeply growing roots, the width will vary depending on the availability of space on the balcony.
You can improve the soil by adding organic fertilizers. To avoid problems with watering, especially during the summer, do not forget insert fragments, stones or possibly expanded clay into the base of the pot, which can promote water drainage. At this point we only have to introduce our soil in the pot to which we can add a little homemade compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.
The carrot prefers a loose soil that does not tend to compact, In this sense, adding a fair percentage of sand to the substrate can promote root swelling and also help drain excess water.
Location and sowing period
The best time to plant carrots is from the end of February, in more temperate climates, until about August, to know more you can read the text dedicated to planting carrots. At the climatic level, it is a plant that prefers a temperate climate, and cannot bear intense cold, especially when it sprouts. The best location to grow carrots on the balcony is a place that always gets sunlight, the north facing balconies can be very poorly lit.
Sowing and thinning
Once you have chosen the right period, the best way to sow carrots is to make small holes in the ground at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other and insert up to 3 seeds in each hole, and then cover with a thin layer of soil . Carrot seeds are small. Just think that one gram can contain even 1000 seeds which, stored in the dark and in a cool place, they have a germination period of more than 2 years.
Don't be discouraged if the seedlings are slow to come out, carrots are known for slow germination., which can last up to 20 days in case of cold and non-optimal soil conditions. After 7 days from germination, we will go to the seedling thinning phase, then we will gently pull out the remaining carrot seedlings, leaving only those that look better.
In summary, to know how to plant carrots in pots you must do this:
- Choose a pot that is at least 40cm deep and large enough. Put some universal soil enriched with compost and pumice.
- Make small holes and put 3 seeds in them. Cover them with previously watered soil.
- Choose a shady area at least for the first few periods. When the plants start to be at least 4 cm tall, move them to an area where there is also some sun for at least half a day.
- The carrots are done when the leaves start to turn yellow.
Carrot harvest
To understand when carrots are harvested, simply calculate a time period of at least 2 months from planting. By then, the root should have reached a diameter of at least 1 cm. The particularity of this vegetable is given by the possibility of having a continuous harvest, throughout the year. Obviously, this implies that sowing must also be done with some regularity, so that new shoots can always be seen.
The carrot must be removed from the ground in its entirety and then allowed to dry for a few days. Only then can it be stored in the refrigerator. Immediately afterwards, the soil is ready to accommodate nightshades such as potatoes, peas, tomatoes. It is suggested to avoid growing carrots in the same place.
Carrot care
Irrigation should be done sporadically and only when the soil appears dry. Only during the summer you can do up to two irrigations a day. To germinate, the seeds need temperatures between 12 and 20 degrees. If temperatures are too low, a cover can be used to help the seedling grow. When the fourth leaf appears, it is necessary to intervene to select the strongest and busiest plants.
Weak-looking plants will need to be removed, as they only run the risk of taking up space. This is called thinning. Then we will proceed with the tamping, useful to add more soil when the plant begins to grow. Then the weeds will be periodically removed. Growing carrots with radish and onions will help keep pests and insects at bay.. You can also combine leeks and garlic.
Carrot diseases
This plant may get sick and rot:
- Usually one of the first enemies It is the carrot fly, an insect that feeds on this vegetable, eating it from the inside.
- The excess or absence of water can also cause numerous problems.
- Dangerous fungi include alternaria and sclerotinia, while also paying attention to aphids, worms and some bacteria.