When is the best time to plant carrots?

The main edible part of a carrot is its fleshy root, which usually grows entirely in the soil. During the annual planting process, many farmers may encounter problems with poor development of carrot fleshy roots, such as short or forked roots. These problems will not only reduce yields but also lower product quality. It is very important to master the time and method of planting carrots. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant carrots?

When is the best time to plant carrots?

Although carrots can be planted in spring, summer, and fall, special attention must be paid to timing when planting in fall. The climatic conditions in different regions lead to differences in planting time. For example, some areas in Northeast China start planting in late June, while northern regions such as Shandong, Hebei, and Henan mostly start planting from late July to August, and provinces such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang start planting around August. The specific planting time should be determined according to the local climate characteristics and the growth cycle of carrots. It usually takes about 100 to 110 days from sowing to harvesting.

Carrot Planting Tips

1. Deeply plow the soil

Since the fleshy roots of carrots grow completely in the soil and the roots extend downward during the growth process, some can reach more than 20 centimeters deep, there are certain requirements for the looseness and air permeability of the soil. Before planting, the soil should be deep tilled to at least 20 cm to facilitate the growth of fleshy roots. If the soil is too compacted, the fleshy roots will have difficulty extending downward, which may cause the roots to become short, thick or forked.

2. Reasonable fertilization

Growing carrots requires the proper use of fertilizers . Organic fertilizers that are not fully decomposed should not be used to avoid causing pests and diseases and damaging the root system. When applying fertilizer, it should be applied deeply or mixed with the soil. Avoid shallow application or applying it too close to the seeds and roots to prevent the fleshy roots from becoming short, thick and forked. At the same time, using a proper amount of wood ash as base fertilizer can help root growth, prevent pests and diseases, and improve the quality of carrots.

3. Ridge planting

Ridge planting is the recommended method for carrot planting because it can increase the thickness of the soil layer, improve the looseness and air permeability of the soil, and is conducive to the development and expansion of fleshy roots. The row spacing for ridge planting is usually 50-60 cm, with two rows planted on each ridge. Practice has shown that carrots planted on ridges not only have straight and long roots, but also have a yield that is more than 20% higher than that planted on flat land.

4. Management before and after emergence

The temperature is usually high and the sunlight is strong during the carrot planting period, so the soil needs to be kept moist from sowing to germination. Depending on the actual situation, you can take measures such as covering with straw mats and weeds to retain moisture, and water in time to prevent the soil from drying out, so as to facilitate seed germination and emergence. After the seedlings emerge, thinning should be carried out in time to ensure that there is enough growing space between the seedlings to avoid overcrowding that affects growth. Thinning can be done in stages to promote healthy growth of seedlings.

The above are several key points that should be paid attention to when planting carrots. Growers should make appropriate adjustments and management according to their actual conditions.