For many peoples of the world for thousands of years, carrots have been an indispensable vegetable in the diet. In almost any area where vegetables are grown, this root crop occupies one of the first places. Any gardener knows: in order to get a high crop that can be stored until spring, you need to use the best seeds of carrots.
What seeds to choose
When preparing for planting carrots, it’s quite difficult to navigate, especially for a beginner, among the huge variety of seeds offered on the market - various producers, beautiful names, attractive packaging. It is best to choose regionalized varieties that are time-tested and adapted to local climatic conditions. The carrot seeds that are not suitable for the area may not produce the expected result . The best varieties, photos of which are shown on the packaging, will not be so attractive at all.
You should not rely on only one type of seed of any producer. It should be borne in mind that different varieties have a different ripening period. In order to have fresh carrots on the table in early summer, early varieties of carrots are used for planting. Mid-season will yield crops closer to autumn. And if carrots need to be stocked for the whole winter, then it is worth buying seeds of later varieties. Thus, the best carrot seeds are those that ripen at the right time.
Early ripe varieties
They begin to ripen in June. The growing season is from 65 to 90 days.
- Carrot "Nantes-4". Very juicy fruits are cylindrical with a blunt end. Their length is small - up to 15 cm.
- "Polar Cranberries." It is considered one of the most precocious varieties. The color of the fruit is pink-orange. Carrots have a high sugar content.
- Callisto. Long fruits can reach 20 cm or more. Pretty tasty carrots with high yields.
- Tushon. Bright orange fruits have a cylindrical shape and a very delicate, juicy pulp.
Mid-season varieties
Fruits are usually in July-August. The most popular varieties among gardeners are those that have been tested for years.
- The Red Giant. The length of the root crop reaches 24 cm, the pulp is juicy and sweet. The growing season is 90-100 days.
- "Losinoostrovskaya". It is very popular in diet food. Fruits with a juicy core and a sweet taste.
- Vitamin-6 and Shantane-2461 combine remarkable palatability with a high rate of keeping quality. Good for making freshly squeezed juices and soups.
Late ripening varieties
In order to be able to feast on carrots throughout the winter, the best carrot seeds for planting are late-ripening varieties.
The Queen of Autumn is especially loved by gardeners. It has a high yield and is very well stored. Root crops are quite large, with juicy and tender flesh. "Yellowstone" is distinguished by the yellow color of the fruit and not quite the usual shape resembling a spindle. Variety "Perfection" gives a stable crop of small root crops that have a cone shape.
This is not a complete list. There are quite a few different varieties that are in demand. Experienced gardeners very carefully select carrot seeds for planting. Which varieties are best suited for planting is determined by the climatic conditions of a particular region and soil characteristics.
How to get carrot seeds
To obtain seeds in the fall, the largest and most even root crops are selected, which are stored for the winter in a box with sand and stored in a wet cellar. At the end of May, when the flowering of bird cherry ends , the tip of the carrot is cut by about one third and the place of cut is treated with wood ash. This is done in order to prevent rotting of the root crop. Then the root crops are planted in harvested holes filled with humus. After the shoots appear, leave only 3 or 4 of the strongest, with the largest umbrellas, the rest are removed. From the central shoot, the best carrot seeds are harvested. For storage for the winter, they must be prepared in accordance with all the rules.
When the inflorescence begins to turn yellow, it is removed and wrapped in a rag, suspended in a dry and shaded place so that the seeds ripen. Ripened seeds are light brown in color. They need to be sorted, leaving the largest, and laid out in paper bags.
Seeds of carrots in granules
Granular seeds are no longer uncommon. The instant coating with which they are coated protects the seed from drying out and provides nutrients after sowing. In addition, the coating contains growth stimulants and preparations that protect seedlings from certain diseases. Seeds in granules require particularly good watering, so that it is easier to break through the seed through the shell. Good soil moisture must be maintained in the future. Due to the large size of the pellets, it is much easier to plant them than ordinary small seeds.
Which carrot seeds are best planted - ordinary or in granules, depends on the timing of planting. Granular sprout, as a rule, a week later than usual. Therefore, if planting time is missed, it is better to use simple seeds. In order to accelerate germination, it is recommended to cover the sown bed with a film.
Colored seeds have good reviews. They are easy to plant, because bright coloring makes each seed very noticeable, which significantly speeds up the planting process. They sprout much faster than granular ones and are much more attractive at a price. To find out what are the best carrot seeds, you should consult with experienced gardeners living in your area.