Proper harvesting of vegetables is the key to a good harvest and a large number of vitamins. Therefore, this work must be done in a timely manner and at the right time. And neither earlier nor later should this be done. Experienced gardeners have their own secrets of quality vegetables. The timing of carrots depends on several factors. Read more about this in the article.
When do they dig it up?
The longer the carrots are in the ground, the more nutritious and tastier it will be. This applies to all varieties. The timing of carrots harvesting depends on the variety, biological characteristics, planting time, purpose of cultivation, condition of fruits, weather. Ripe fruits cannot lie for a long time, but can be used fresh, so the harvest occurs at different times.
Why is timely collection important?
- With a low temperature in September, a slowdown in green growth is observed, and root crops begin to grow faster. Due to early digging, carrots will not be fully ripe. Unripe fruits are stored worse.
- If the vegetables are overexposed in the ground, then their taste properties deteriorate. Carrots can go into secondary growth - roots appear on the roots. At low temperatures, the risk of carrot diseases increases. Rot is also possible during harvesting in the rains.
It is for these reasons that it is important to observe the timing of carrots. This will allow you to get a quality crop.
Middle lane
What is the term for harvesting carrots in the middle lane? If the variety is early, then the collection occurs in mid-summer. It is necessary to harvest the roots no later than the deadline set by the seed producers, otherwise instead of a tasty vegetable there will be cracked root vegetables with a poor taste.
Usually, early carrots are dug up selectively for fresh consumption. So that the carrot fly does not appear, the pits are covered with earth. What is the timeframe for harvesting carrots in central Russia if the variety is mid-season or late-season? This has been done since the 2nd half of September. With a decrease in temperature, an outflow of nutrients from the tops to the root crop is observed, and as a result, the carrot will be juicy and heavy. Dates of harvesting carrots in the suburbs are the same.
Ural and Siberia
At temperatures up to +4, biological processes are slowed down, so the vegetable hardly grows. What is the term for harvesting carrots in Siberia? It all depends on the willingness of the vegetable, usually this period begins in mid-August and ends in mid-September. The weather also affects the collection period: if constant rains are observed, then there will be dampness during the ripening period. Such vegetables cannot lie for long because there is a high risk of decay.
What are the terms for harvesting carrots in the Urals? The collection takes place from August 15 to September 15. You do not need to do this before or after the due date, as this can ruin the crop. If the weather is dry, cool, you should not leave vegetables on the bed longer than the term. The fruits will be hard and bitter in taste, and frost can ruin them.
At any time for harvesting carrots, this should be done at a temperature of +5 to +8 degrees. The main signs of ripening of the vegetable include yellowing of the lower part of the tops, the appearance of small hairs on the vegetable. It is advisable to focus on the timing of the planted variety, since yellow tops can indicate a disease or improper agricultural technique during cultivation.
How to clean?
It is important to know not only the timing of harvesting underground carrots, but also how to do it correctly. Perform work in dry weather. Short and medium fruits are pulled out by hands, for long it is better to use a shovel or pitchfork. On large plantations, cleaning is carried out by a walk-behind tractor or combine.
During harvesting, the fruit must be carefully removed without mechanical damage. Kinks, scratches and other defects are not allowed for winter storage, as they are a source of disease entry and spread.
The tops should be removed in the next hours after digging vegetables. If you do not cut it for a long time, the leaves evaporate moisture and root crops fade, which affects the keeping quality. Experienced gardeners do not recommend leaving carrots in the beds, because there will be wilting.
If you plan to preserve carrots for the winter, then washing is not necessary, since it can lead to the appearance of rot. The tops do not need to be twisted by hand, it is carefully cut with a sharp knife or garden secateurs.
After eliminating the tops, the vegetables are laid out under a canopy or in another area where they are aired before being stored. Then the fruits are sorted, discarded unnecessary, damaged and sick. Before laying for the winter, they must be removed in a cool dark place for 4-5 days to cool.
Machine mode
Enterprises that grow carrots for industrial purposes use special combines for harvesting. Dates are determined by the ripeness of the fruit - the finished vegetables do not darken from a long stay in the fresh air.
Before mechanical cleaning, the tops are removed by a topper. Weed removal is carried out by a top-lifting machine, as it automatically tracks plants.
The mechanical harvesting procedure is performed by 2 methods: top-lifting machines and potato diggers. The first method allows you to get good results with elongated root crops with large tops. The second method is better to choose for short root crops.
Storage
For carrots, you need a temperature from 0 to +3 degrees, humidity about 90%. There should be no light in the room. With a low moisture indicator, vegetables wither and lose elasticity. It will be possible to provide such humidity when stored in plastic bags, sand or sawdust.
Before planting, carrots must be quarantined for 10 days in a dark place at 10-12 degrees. Then the fruits must be selected for long storage. The remaining root crops are used in current needs. Before storing in plastic bags, carrots must be washed and dried. Then they put it in bags and tie it. Small ventilation holes should be made in the ventilation bags.
Sand is used to retain moisture. It must first be moistened - 1 liter of water per 10-12 kg. With storage in boxes in the bottom, a layer of sand 2 cm thick is poured, and then root crops are laid. Sand is poured upstairs (1 cm layer). Then again a layer of root crops is laid. Sand can be replaced by coniferous sawdust. This method is used for storage in the cellar. Before laying it is necessary to carry out disinfection.
Cultivation agricultural
When performing the cultivation technique, each gardener will have an excellent harvest. Only prepared soil is needed:
- acid reaction pH = 6-8;
- need fertilizer;
- deep plowing is required;
- sand and humus are introduced into the soil.
An early harvest will be if the seeds are sown before winter in prepared beds. Seed growth is carried out during thawing of the soil. The necessary watering will be with the help of melt water.
Sowing Features
To have a good harvest, high-quality sowing is necessary. Small seeds of carrots need to be moistened and mixed with sand. Sowing is done in calm weather. A humus layer of 2 cm is poured on top of the furrow, and then it is rammed. Daytime temperature should drop to 5-8 degrees.
For spring sowing, a long soaking (2-3 days) of seeds in snow water is necessary. You can not germinate them, but immediately sow in the furrows. Covering before germination is required to maintain moisture. Nighttime temperature drop and wind do not affect heating.
Gardeners advise germinating seeds on the southern slope of the compost pile. Seeds in a wet towel are placed to a depth of 5-6 cm. After hatching, they must be mixed with last year's furnace ash. Wet seeds will become balls with beads, so it will be convenient to distribute them along the furrow.
The care includes watering, cultivating row-spacing, weeding, thinning thickened plantings of carrots. Cracking of the fruits can be prevented with light watering. In drought, the gap between watering should be reduced with mandatory loosening. Following these simple rules, a rich harvest is obtained. Carrots will be tasty and healthy. The main thing is to collect it on time.