Carrot sowing method and sowing time

Carrots, known as "little ginseng", have a long history of cultivation in China and are still a very common vegetable in people's daily diet. It is not only easy to preserve, but also has high nutritional value. It can be eaten raw, served cold or in soup. Let’s learn how to sow carrots and when to sow them.

1. Land selection

Carrots are suitable for growing in sandy soil that is deep, fertile, well-ventilated and well-drained. Avoid planting in heavy clay soils as this will not be conducive to carrot growth and harvesting. If the soil organic matter content is low, well-rotted farmyard manure should be added to improve the soil.

2. Fertilization and land preparation

Every acre of land requires 3-5 cubic meters of high-quality soil and fertilizer, 30 kilograms of 15-15-15 nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium controlled-release fertilizer , and 15 kilograms of potassium sulfate. Spread the fertilizer evenly on the surface, then deep plow about 30 cm deep, use a rotary tiller to level the land, and prepare the land for ridges. Carrots are sown on ridges 60-80 cm wide and 10-15 cm high, with furrows about 20 cm wide to facilitate drainage and irrigation. The sowing width should be consistent with the ridge width, and then wait for sowing after preparation.

3. Variety selection

Choose carrot varieties that are suitable for local climate and soil conditions, especially those that are highly adaptable. Use seeds from the current year's harvest to ensure a high germination rate.

4. Sowing time

Carrots are divided into two types: spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring-sown carrots can be sown all day long at suitable temperatures. Autumn sowing of carrots should avoid high temperature periods and is best done in the afternoon to ensure that the seeds are moisturized at night and that the seedlings emerge evenly. On cloudy days, sowing can be done all day. If the soil is dry, water it in advance. Carrots can be sown from dry seeds or after germination.

5. Germination and sowing

Germination can speed up the emergence of carrots. Rub the seeds gently to break the surface hairs, then soak them in warm water at about 20℃ for a day and a night. Take them out and germinate them in an environment of 20℃. You can sow them after the seeds turn white. After sowing, keep the soil moist and water regularly to prevent drought for at least 60 days, before the carrot roots penetrate deep into the soil. However, the soil should not be too wet, so as to prevent the carrots from producing too many fibrous roots and affecting the quality.

6. Cultivation and weeding

Proper tillage can prevent the soil from drying out and manual weeding can be carried out. To save labor, you can spray herbicides after carrots are sown and before they emerge. The commonly used one is 72% isopropylamine emulsifiable concentrate, which can be mixed with 50 kg of water for every 100 ml to spray one acre of land. Isopropylamine is safe for carrots, has a control efficiency of over 95% against grass weeds, and also has a high control effect on other weeds. Such soil sealing treatment can protect carrot seedlings from weeds.

7. Water control before harvest

Controlling moisture about 10 days before harvest can help improve the harvest and storage capacity of carrots. It usually takes 90-110 days for carrots to be harvested after sowing. Although carrots are highly resistant to cold weather, their time to market must also be taken into consideration and they should not be harvested too late.

The above is an introduction to the sowing time and method of carrots. When planting carrots, you need to pay attention to the above points and choose suitable varieties according to the actual environment.