Carrots that rot in the cellars - a real serious problem for many gardeners. The reasons for such trouble can be a lot.
The increased dampness at the storage location, the development of infectious diseases, and the improper temperature of the contents (often they increase it too much) may be the cause.
But the most common cause of rotting carrots is the wrong variety for planting. This article describes in detail the most optimal for storage in winter carrot varieties. A comparative table of shelf life is presented.
What choice to make?
Inexperienced gardeners are often mistaken when buying carrot seeds for winter storage, we will tell you which one is better to choose. At the moment we have before us a huge assortment of vegetables for planting, in which it is so easy for a novice summer resident to get lost. Hope to come only on the description and beautiful packaging, which should not be done in any case.
Let us present to your attention a list of characteristics that will help you make the right choice of seeds, perfectly suitable for long-term storage:
- carrot development time from 100 days and up;
- the variety must not crack;
- must be resistant to diseases and pests;
- it is necessary to give preference to varieties that are suitable for cultivation in different climatic conditions and different types of soil;
- Do not let the arrows.
The best types of late ripening
Carrot varieties that sprout for more than four months are considered late varieties.. Ripe vegetable tends to persist until the next harvest.
Queen of Autumn
This is the development of Altai breeders. The name of the carrot has received absolutely deserved. Root crops that gardeners grow on well-fertilized, loosened soil, in most cases exceed the stated characteristics: weight - about 230 grams, fruit length - 25-27 centimeters, yield indicators - 9 kg per square meter.
We offer to watch a video about the variety of carrots Queen of autumn:
Dolanka
The representative of the Polish production. Perfectly preserved until the beginning of the next spring. In the case when the soil is infected with a carrot fly larva, this variety is an excellent choice for planting. Plus, such fruits cope well with fusarium. The smallest mass of carrots is about 130-150 grams.
Flaccoro
A distinctive feature of this variety is a high level of carotene, which makes the fruit a rich orange color. Manufacturers talk about the following indicators: yield - more than 8 kilograms per square meter, weight - 190-210 grams, length - 25-30 centimeters.
Popular mid-season
Specialists include fruits that ripen within 80-100 days to the middle-ripening varieties. Their feature gardeners consider taste: such carrots are sweeter and more juicy.
Nantes - 4
This variety is one of the most popular and oldest - it has been cultivated since the middle of the twentieth century. The greatest demand is in Siberia, the Moscow region and the Urals. On maturation usually takes about 100 days. After 50 days after the appearance of the first shoots, beam ripeness begins. If you plant carrots in May, then by September the vegetable will be ready for harvest..
If the summer resident does not have enough time for this at the beginning of autumn, then the carrot may remain in the ground until mid-October.
This variety in this situation does not lose any taste or external qualities. The weight of one fruit varies between 130-150 grams. Root crops are not very long - usually reach 20 centimeters. Manufacturers say the average yield - 6 kg per square meter.
The maximum shelf life of Nantes-4 is the end of February.
Samson
Carrots, which are distinguished by their large size, can be stored until the end of spring, provided they keep it cool (the ideal place is the cellar). Experienced agronomists recommend this sort of carrot to beginner gardeners. After all, it can be grown on any soil and in any climatic conditions. Sowing time - the beginning of May. If this carrot is planted in time, it will grow in a smooth, rich orange color, and there will be practically no core in such fruits.
Full ripening period - 95-105 days. The weight of a root crop reaches 170 grams, and sometimes exceeds this indicator. Length reaches 22 centimeters, in some cases, and more.
We offer to watch a video about Samson carrots:
Chance
This variety retains its taste and appearance until early spring. The fruits grow to 130 grams, are distinguished by their regular conical shape, it tastes very sweet and juicy. When sowing Chance experienced agronomists recommend to withstand a certain scheme - 20 * 4 cm. In this case, the yield will be 5 kg per square meter.
Early
Such carrots must be sown at the very beginning of spring in order to receive the first harvest in June. The early ripening period is 80-90 days. The following varieties will help gardeners to harvest high yields and preserve them for a long time.
Tushon
The roots of this carrot are cylinder-shaped, not very large in width. In length grow to 15 centimeters, and the maximum weight - 100 grams. The yield characteristics are average - 5 kg per square meter. In order for Tushon to survive until winter, it must be sown at the beginning of summer. Some agronomists sow even later - in September-October. Thanks to its fast ripening period, the carrot grows well and is enjoying its winter well.
Artek
Variety Artek different simplicity in care. Mature literally in 45-50 days. Overall indicators: weight - 140-150 grams, length - 13-15 cm. Root crops taste very sweet and juicy, they have an orange tint, sometimes reaching maroon iridescent colors. In the cool can persist until the end of winter.
F1 fun
This variety is of hybrid origin, making it ideal for beam products. Fruits are small - about 50 grams, the length is also average. The color of the carrot is bright orange. Stored in the cellar throughout the winter.
Sweet
Such carrots are great for cooking baby food. Their main advantage is the high content of carotene. Often, sweet varieties are mid-season.
Carotan
This variety is widely distributed throughout the world. Very often Carotan is grown as a raw material for processing.. Such carrots can persist until the next spring. Due to the high content of carotene, this variety is very bright, orange. The length of the root is not less than 25 centimeters, it reaches a diameter of 5 cm.
Favorite
Differs in its correct form. With good watering the crop will be early, the fruits will not crack. Fruit sizes: weight - 140-160 grams, length - 15 cm.
Comparative table of all kinds
Grade name | Gestation period | Weight | Length | Yield |
Queen of Autumn | Late | 230 | 25-27 | 9 kg |
Dolanka | Late | 130-150 | 17 | 6 |
Flaccoro | Late | 190-210 | 25-30 | 8 |
Nantes-4 | Average | 130-150 | 20 | 6 |
Samson | Average | 170 | 22 | 7 |
Chance | Average | 130 | 18 | 5 |
Tushon | Early | 100 | 15 | 5 |
Artek | Early | 140-150 | 13-15 | 6 |
F1 fun | Early | 50 | 12 | 5 |
Carotan | Average | 180 | 25 | 8 |
Favorite | Early | 140-160 | 15 | 7 |
Ways long-term preservation of carrots in the winter
Everyone knows that this vegetable should be kept in the cellar. However, there are many ways how to do it.
- Wooden boxes with lid. They need to be placed at a distance of 10-15 cm from the walls. It is advisable to put the boxes not on the floor, but on some kind of pallet. Holes are not needed.
- Onion Husk. It is enough to put the carrots in a bag, put the husks there too. All this needs to be mixed well.
- Softwood sawdustld Only coniferous sawdust is used to store carrots. First sawdust stacked, then - carrots, and then again sawdust.
- Sand. Algorithm bookmark vegetable is the same as in the case of sawdust.
- Wet sand and chalk powder. This mixture also wraps carrots on all sides.
- Chalk solution. Need to make a liquid solution. Dip each fruit in it, let it dry, and then just put it in the drawers.
- Plastic bags. This method is not the most optimal and is used only in the case when there is no other at all. It is necessary to put the dried fruit in packages and carry it to the cellar.
We offer to watch a video about the proper storage of carrots in the winter:
Conclusion
It is worth remembering that the pledge of the duration of storage of carrots is not only the correctly selected variety. But also the correct planting and harvesting, as well as the choice of optimal storage conditions.