Carrots are considered one of the most valuable crops, so they are grown everywhere. The main guarantee of successful cultivation is the selection of a suitable variety and the sowing of quality seeds. This article discusses the popular varieties of this vegetable, as well as the rules for choosing carrot seeds.

What to consider when picking carrot seeds

Carrots are considered to be a rather unpretentious and high-yielding crop, but not all and not always manage to get really high-quality vegetables. Often, problems with crop yields arise due to serious errors in seed selection. Like any other vegetable crop, carrots are divided into early, mid-ripening and late varieties. Not only dependability depends on this, but also the ultimate goals of using the future crop.

Important! Varieties of carrots with dark, saturated orange pulp are more preferred for growing. They contain more vitamins and minerals than hybrids with light root crops.

1. Early Varieties give a full harvest already in early summer, however, these root crops are not suitable for storage or sale. In most cases, by mid-autumn, such carrots will become unsuitable for consumption. Seeds of early varieties can be massively grown in both southern and northern regions.
2. Mid-season root crops are ideal for long-term storage; such hybrids are also capable of producing high-quality crops in the cold northern latitudes even by the seedlingless method.
3. Later varieties have the highest keeping quality, as well as commercial quality, however, such products can be grown under the condition of a long summer and a fairly warm autumn.

You should also consider the growing region. In crop production, there are so-called zoned varieties. They were bred taking into account all climatic features of the growing region and are characterized by increased adaptive capabilities. And this will best ensure crop yields. The system of growing vegetables is also important. With an organic system, it is better to buy clean seed that has not been treated with any chemical fertilizers or other substances.In the case of intensive cultivation, granular (pelleted) seeds are considered most suitable. They are enclosed in a shell with all kinds of growth stimulants, trace elements, vitamins and protective drugs. Seeds in granules emerge very quickly and are practically not susceptible to many infections characteristic of a vegetable.

The best carrot seeds for open ground

Today, vegetable growers know a huge number of different varieties of carrots, but not many among them have gained particular popularity. Based on a large number of reviews, we consider in detail the characteristics and characteristics of high-yielding and popular varieties and hybrids.

Important! Early varieties of carrots can be planted twice a season - to obtain the first summer products, as well as fresh root crops for the winter. However, this technology is suitable only for a temperate and warm climate.

Early ripe varieties

Such varieties, as a rule, give the first crops already 85 days after sowing. This feature is their main advantage. While other varieties are just starting to ripen, early carrots already make it possible to saturate the body with valuable vitamins and minerals.

Lady

The variety is distinguished by rather large root crops with a length of about 20 cm, the correct cylindrical shape, with a smooth surface and a rich orange color. This carrot is recommended for fresh consumption, as well as for cooking. The plant is practically not susceptible to characteristic diseases of the culture, which ensures its high yield. But for long-term storage and transportation, the variety is unsuitable.

The main distinguishing features of the Lady:

• vegetation period - about 3 months;
• almost no bloom;
• carrots have increased taste characteristics;
• root crops are not subject to cracking.

Fun F1

This carrot is known for its bright orange fruits, as well as its rich sweet taste. Also, root crops have a characteristic juicy pulp and a special delicate texture. Their surface is flat, without runaways. The main purpose of the hybrid is fresh use, the so-called "growing on a bunch." There are few disadvantages of this carrot, the main ones are low stubbornness and a decrease in the palatability of fruits after cooking. At the same time, the fun is resistant to characteristic diseases.

Distinctive features of the variety:

• vegetation duration - about 3.5–4 months;
• high productivity;
• the average weight is in the range of 50–100 g;
• root crops are not subject to cracking.

Nantes 4

Nantes 4 is one of the oldest hybrids. This plant is characterized by large blunt-root roots of a bright orange-red color. At the same time, they have a small core, sweet and juicy pulp with a delicate carrot aroma and aftertaste. Such a vegetable is considered the best variety for fresh consumption, because even with prolonged storage its taste characteristics do not change. In this case, the crop does not have high resistance to various infections, as well as resistance to cracking.

The main features of carrots Nantes 4:

• vegetative period - no more than 2.5–3 months;
• high productivity;
• root crops weighing up to 150 g;
• the crop is suitable for transportation.

Mid-season varieties

Mid-ripening varieties are called those that have a growing season of about 100-120 days. Such plants provide root vegetables that are ideal for cooking, which are distinguished by increased stubbornness, therefore they are often the basis of the entire volume of vegetable growing.

Did you know? Carrots were first cultivated on the territory of modern Afghanistan about 4 thousand years ago. In this region, to this day, the largest number of diverse varieties of culture is grown.

Losinoostrovskaya

Carrots of the Losinoostrovskaya variety are known to almost all vegetable growers as a high-yielding crop that produces products of excellent quality. Widely distributed both in the southern regions and in the northern ones. It has fairly long blunt-root roots of a saturated orange color. The color of the pulp is uniform. The crop is great for fresh consumption, as well as cooking. At the same time, the vegetable is not resistant to characteristic bacteria and infections. Also a drawback can be called a deep occurrence of root crops, which requires additional tillage.

The main characteristics of the variety:

• vegetative period - about 3.5 months;
• high productivity;
• resistance to flowering;
• medium cracking resistance.

Boltex

Boltex is one of the newest hybrids, but, despite this, it is known to many thanks to its perfectly smooth and uniform root crops. They are characterized by a run to the cone, as well as a particularly bright orange hue. The hybrid has increased resistance to all kinds of diseases, and also has the ability to adapt to almost any environmental conditions. No serious deficiencies were found in Boltex.

Distinctive qualities of the variety:

• vegetative period - not more than 4 months;
• consistently high yields;
• excellent commercial qualities;
• high resistance to shooting and flare;
• can be successfully stored throughout the winter.

Vitamin 6

Vitamin differs in large root crops, about 15 cm long. The color is saturated, orange-red. The core of carrots is practically absent, the flesh is fragrant, of uniform consistency. The variety has improved taste, therefore, it can be successfully used for preparing fresh dishes, as well as other culinary treatments. The main disadvantage of Vitamin 6 can be called poor resistance to specific infections, which requires additional care for crops.

Vitamin 6 has achieved success thanks to the following properties:

• vegetative period - within 110 days;
• widespread zoning;
• root crops practically do not crack;
• the plant is not prone to bloom.

Late ripening varieties

Late ripe carrots include varieties that require at least 125 days to form a quality root crop. Such plants are often characterized by cold resistance, as well as excellent commercial qualities. Harvest at optimum temperature and humidity can be successfully stored until the beginning of June.

Did you know? The incomparable carrot variety is one of the oldest modern varieties. It was bred and zoned in 1942 within the walls of the Biryuchekut vegetable station (Rostov Region).

Red giant

The red giant is a well-known German variety that has proven itself around the world. It is able to produce crops for many years and in almost any geographical latitude. The fruits are smooth, conical in shape, saturated red-orange in color. The taste of the hybrid is good. The shelf life of the Red Giant is high, carrots can be successfully stored until the end of April, after which its taste is sharply reduced. The main disadvantage of the variety is considered to be low productivity, as well as average resistance to characteristic diseases. In addition, part of the crop is able to crack, which reduces its durability.

The main characteristics of the Red Giant:

• vegetation duration - about 130 days;
• large root crops up to 25 cm long;
• the average weight of root crops is about 150 g;
• excellent commercial qualities;
• the grade is highly resistant to shooting.

Queen of autumn

Carrot Queen of the fall is considered one of the most mellow, therefore it can be successfully stored almost until the beginning of summer. The fruits are quite dense, regular conical shape. The pulp is quite soft, but crispy, with a rich taste, juicy. This allows you to use it for fresh salads, as well as preservation. The variety has few drawbacks - first of all, it is the dependence of the quality of the crop and the size of root crops on the growing conditions.

Distinctive features of the Queen of Autumn:

• the growing season does not exceed 120 days;
• the average mass of the root crop is about 150-200 g;
• root crops with a length of at least 25 cm;
• the crop is not able to crack and shoot;
• ideal for winter sowing.

Incomparable

This variety is considered one of the typical varieties of late ripe carrots. The hybrid grows and develops well in both southern and northern regions. It gives an elongated, conical, blunt root crop. The pulp is quite dense, uniform in color, bright orange in color. Taste is incomparable above average, carrots are suitable for fresh salads, and all kinds of treatments, including preservation. However, the variety is prone to cracking, which often affects its durability. In addition, it does not differ in increased resistance to a variety of infections and pests, and therefore requires additional care.

The main qualities of the hybrid:

• growing season - no more than 130 days;
• the average mass of marketable root crops is about 200 g;
• increased resistance to tsvetochnosti.

How to get carrot seeds

Carrots are a biennial herb that is known to almost everyone. However, not everyone knows how to get high-quality vegetable seeds, bypassing specialized stores. To do this is quite simple: you only need a small plot for the garden, as well as an old crop of carrots. Root crops should be sprouted. For planting, smooth fruits are selected, without any injuries and putrefactive lesions. Around mid-spring, they are planted in a separate area in small groups of 3-4 pieces. at a distance of 30 cm, the distance between the rows is not less than 60 cm.

Carrots are planted strictly vertically, with the tip down, while the ends of the root crop should be at the same level with the soil surface. With timely weeding and watering of the plot, the vegetable will form peduncles by the middle of the season, on which the seeds will then be tied. Around the end of August, the most powerful upper inflorescences should be selected, then dried and wiped through a fine sieve. The resulting screening on the surface of the sieve should be poured into a paper envelope and stored in a dry, cool place until sowing.

Video: how to grow carrot seeds

The basic rules for growing carrots in the open field

It is not difficult to grow an orange vegetable on the site, but getting a really plentiful crop will help compliance with such rules:

1. This is a cross-pollinated crop, so you need to plant different varieties of carrots in separate areas, including away from wild varieties.
2. At the same place, carrots should be grown only once every 4 years.
3. Carrots grow well only on loose fertilized soil. In poorly drained areas, culture can only be grown on small artificial hills about 20-30 cm high.
4. To simplify sowing, seeds need to be coated in nutrient mixtures based on substances such as peat, humus or clay.
5. It is better to sow seeds in a row method, at a distance of 4 cm.

Carrots are one of the most popular crops in vegetable growing. However, only a careful selection of the variety will help to get a truly high crop yield. At this stage, all biological and morphological characteristics of the plant must be taken into account, which will help to avoid many difficulties associated with the cultivation, care and further preservation of the crop.