Which leads to cracking of carrots
When growing root crops, carrots often crack. This badly affects the preservation of vegetables and spoils their appearance. In order to prevent the development of the problem, it is worth finding out the reasons for its occurrence. Usually they are rooted in improper agricultural practices. Even the cultivation of crack-resistant fruit does not always save you from it.
Which leads to cracking of carrots
Wrong watering regime
There are cases when a plant during a drought period stays without water for a long time. If then it is watered abundantly or heavy rains fall, the culture receives moisture in large quantities. The cell walls of the vegetable tissues cannot withstand strong pressure from the inside, and the carrots crack.
Preventing the problem
To avoid a sharp moistening of the soil, you should follow the watering rules:
- If the soil has not been moistened for a long time, the first watering should be superficial. It is repeated in 1-2 days.
- In hot weather, water is added every 4-5 days.
- In rainy weather, they arrange the drainage of excess liquid from the garden, since its excess also leads to cracking of the carrots. For this, special grooves are made. Dill is also planted in the aisles, which prevents moisture stagnation and soil compaction.
The soil should always be moist before germination. During the period of growth of root crops, plants are watered regularly. It is better to add water in the morning, when the ground is not too hot, since the vegetable bursts from temperature changes (the difference between the temperature of the water and the ground). When the carrots reach their normal size, watering is stopped.
To retain moisture in the soil, after moistening, the aisles are loosened. The soil will become lighter, which will reduce the pressure on the vegetable, then the carrots will not crack. If it is not possible to produce timely watering, the soil is mulched. A favorable microclimate is formed under the mulch. It promotes the development of beneficial soil bacteria, moisture retention.
Improper feeding
Carrots often crack due to excess nitrogen in the soil.
This leads to non-compliance with the dosage of drugs and recommendations for their dilution. Then the cells grow intensively, and the tissues become loose. Their resistance to adverse environmental influences decreases. If at this time the slightest fluctuations in humidity occur, the root crop cracks. It cannot withstand the pressure in the soil.
The soil should not be hard and hard
Preventing the problem
The plant is sown after crops, under which organic matter was introduced.
Carrots will not crack if you follow the fertilization rules. Top dressing with nitrogen-containing agents is carried out at the beginning of crop growth (in the first month after germination). They contribute to the growth of green mass.
Not all organics are good for vegetables. Fresh manure is not acceptable. It is better to use such substances:
- infusion of bird droppings;
- slurry;
- fermented nettle and weed infusion.
When a root crop is formed, fertilization with nitrogen content is stopped. They are replaced by phosphorus and potassium mineral preparations. Ash is used in the form of an infusion, since it increases the acidity of the soil, otherwise the vegetables will be covered with bristle roots.
Heavy soil
Cracking of carrots occurs when grown in clay soil. It puts too much pressure on the vegetable, the roots cannot easily grow deeper.
Preventing the problem
The culture grows well in light, loose, structured soil. When the soil does not meet these requirements, it is improved. Carrots will not crack if added to the soil:
- river sand;
- rotted sawdust;
- matured compost;
- humus;
- tyrsu;
- high-moor and lowland peat;
- rotting straw.
On heavy types of soil, special high beds are equipped (0.3 m). Varieties that have short roots are also planted. They develop in the upper layers of the earth.
So that the carrots do not crack, the characteristics of the soil are improved by the sideration method. For this, winter crops are sown on the site in the fall: oats, rye, wheat. In the spring, the green mass is plowed into the ground. It should take at least 3 weeks from digging to sowing.
Late harvest
If the early varieties are sown in April and harvested in October, the carrots will crack. It overripe, loses its taste and juiciness.
Preventing the problem
To prevent the root crop from bursting, the timing of planting and harvesting should be observed. If vegetables are needed for consumption in the summer, they are sown in early March. For storage for the winter, planting is carried out in June, then you do not need to overexpose the carrots in the garden.
Conclusion
It is unpleasant when, as a result of cultivation, the root crop cracks. This can happen to anyone who does not follow the rules of care. In this case, the selected variety does not matter. It only determines the taste and appearance characteristics.
If carrots crack, they will not store well. It is better to wash it, peel it and place it in the freezer when grated.