Every gardener knows that carrots sown before winter produce juicier and larger root crops than when planted in spring. But not everyone knows all the nuances of such sowing. And this leads to incorrect actions that do not have the best effect on the harvest. Knowing the intricacies of sowing will help you avoid mistakes and enjoy new fortified vegetables at the end of spring.
Incorrect time of autumn sowing
Inexperienced vegetable growers sow carrots long before the onset of cold weather, fearing that with the arrival of frost the seeds will lose their strength and properties. And they are very surprised when they pick up small, twisted root vegetables or get nothing at all.
The right time to sow before winter
The best option is the end of autumn. But since the air temperature is not the same in the regions, they rely on thermometer readings. At temperatures above 2 °C, the seeds will germinate before winter. And in winter frosts the sprouts will die. Suitable air temperature for sowing is from 5 °C below zero to 2 °C above zero.
In addition, gardeners select soil that is frozen to 5–8 cm. The lying snow is cleared from the bed, furrows are made, dry seeds are immersed in them, covered with dry soil, and mulched with organic matter. The top is covered with snow.
Failure to comply with crop rotation
This is a serious mistake not only when sowing carrots, but also when planting other crops.Agricultural science does not recommend planting plants in the same beds every year. Carrot roots release toxins. And carrots planted again in the same place are sensitive to them. The harvest will get worse every year. Crop rotation heals the soil.
After what crops are carrots sown before winter?
Best predecessors:
- onion;
- zucchini;
- cabbage;
- cucumbers;
- potato;
- watermelon;
- pumpkin.
Some gardeners complain about the lack of space for garden beds. Here we can only advise you to take a serious approach to drawing up a sowing schedule that will ensure the interchangeability of plantings.
Improper seed preparation
Sowing carrot seeds in the fall is not much different from planting in the spring. Some gardeners, having heard this phrase, carry out various manipulations with the seeds: soaking, heat treatment, using a growth stimulator and other spring pre-planting actions. This misjudgment will result in loss of harvest.
How to do it right
Carrot seeds, which are sown in the fall, do not require preliminary preparation. Thanks to soaking and germination, the seeds will sprout prematurely and the seedlings will die.
Selecting a location and preparing the bed
Some gardeners do not think about the fact that the yield depends on the correct location of the bed. And they sow in free space in unprepared soil. This error is serious. The results are fraught with low yields.
How to choose the right place for a garden bed
When choosing a place for sowing carrots, follow the following rules:
- The bed is selected on a hill where the snow melts first.The soil will warm up earlier and the seeds will sprout faster.
- You cannot sow carrots on a slope. The water generated by melting snow will wash the seeds down.
- The lowland is also not suitable for sowing before winter. Carrot seedlings will die as a result of stagnant water.
Having chosen a bed taking into account crop rotation, prepare the soil.
Recommendations from experienced gardeners for soil preparation:
- Clear the area of weeds, remove roots, plant debris, and debris.
- Dig the soil to the depth of a spade bayonet.
- Loosen the soil, as this procedure is not carried out in spring.
- Apply fertilizers when digging.
Gardeners and gardeners enjoy sowing carrots in the fall.
Taking into account errors, by the end of spring and beginning of summer a rich harvest of healthy vegetables will grow. The only nuance that is a little upsetting is that carrots planted before winter do not last long.
