What to do if carrots burst and crack in the garden, and why this happens

The quality of the harvest depends on proper care of the plantings. For example, violation of agrotechnical practices leads to cracking of carrots. Often the root crop bursts from excessive watering, but there are other reasons for this phenomenon. Why carrots crack in the garden - you will find out from the article.

For what reasons do carrots burst and crack?

The main reason is uneven and irregular watering the beds. Less commonly, carrots burst and become ugly due to improper fertilizing, selection of unsuitable soil, or untimely harvesting. It is important to identify the main problem in time and try to eliminate it.

Irregular watering

It happens that a gardener plants root crops in a garden plot far from home. He comes there only on weekends and waters all the beds abundantly. After long rains or severe drought, a large amount of moisture creates pressure inside and outside carrots. Deep cracks appear on the vegetable, and it gradually becomes deformed.

When growing carrots, experienced gardeners adhere to the following rules:

1. Plants are moistened abundantly only in the first month after planting in open ground. Limit watering in the second half of the growing season.
2. Water frequently, but in moderation. The beds are not flooded, even if the soil is too dry. The procedure is performed every other day, pouring 2 watering cans onto one bed.
3. After fruit formation, moistening is carried out no more than 2 times a week.
4. Water in the morning or evening.Apply water between rows.
5. If the garden is located on too wet soil, moisture-loving greens are grown between plantings: lettuce, dill, parsley.
6. To retain moisture in the soil for as long as possible, its surface is mulched with sawdust or compost. If this procedure is not followed, the soil is loosened after each watering.
7. Watering is completely stopped a month before harvest.

Carrots love constant, even and moderate moisture. After the formation of root crops, the number of procedures is reduced to 2 times a week.

Incorrect application of fertilizers

Another reason why carrots crack is the application of the wrong fertilizers or excess fertilizer.

As a result, root crops grow quickly, become loose and unstable to external factors, and begin to deform and burst.

Gardeners adhere to the following rules:

1. Apply nitrogen fertilizers at the beginning of the growing season: 30 days after emergence. Stop in the second half of the growing season.
2. During the formation of root crops, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied. The use of fresh organic matter is prohibited. An infusion of bird droppings, mullein or weeds is used only in the first month after the sprouts appear.
3. Do not apply fresh manure before sowing. Use compost, rotted manure or peat.
4. Ash is used only in the form of a solution. Otherwise, bulk raw materials will change the acidity of the soil and provoke abundant root formation.
5. Comply with dosages.

Delayed harvesting

Overripening is another reason why carrots burst. Sowing early ripening varieties carried out at the end of April, and harvest They are harvested at the end of August.

Late-ripening carrots are planted at the end of May and harvested in mid-September.

Reference. In addition to cracking, overripe root crops begin to rot. This is especially true for late-ripening varieties. Often in September there are prolonged rains, which leads to rot and loss of crops.

Dense soil

Defects are formed due to the resistance of heavy soil to growing roots. Therefore, when choosing a site for sowing, adhere to the following rules:

1. Select breathable and light sandy or sandy loam soils.
2. Do not plant on clay soils. If there is no other land, varieties with short roots are planted. For example, Karotel, Chantenay, Alenka.
3. On too dense soils, bulk beds are formed from fertile soil with a layer of 40 cm. Sometimes gardeners order such soils and fill the entire plot with them.
4. Improve the soil by adding river sand, peat, rotted compost or sawdust.
5. Carrots are sown in ridges. This method is well suited for climatic regions with heavy rainfall, low temperatures and well-structured soils. The method is not used in the south, because there the ridges will overheat greatly.

Soil quality is improved by green manure. After harvesting, oats, wheat or rye are sown in place of carrots. In the spring they are dug up and then root crops are planted. In addition to structuring the soil, green manure saturates it with nutrients.

Reference. To improve the quality of the soil, cauliflower is planted in place of carrots.

High levels of nitrogen in the soil

Nitrogen fertilizers in large quantities cause strong growth and cause loose and watery root crops.

The carrots begin to crack in the ground, which subsequently reduces the quality of the crop. Nitrogen fertilizing is applied only at the beginning of seedling growth, 2 times.

How to prevent this problem and why it is important

To prevent carrots from cracking, experienced gardeners take into account the rules described above: water moderately, apply mineral and phosphorus fertilizers, choose the right soil, and harvest on time.

The main reason for cracking of root crops is improper watering. It is good if it is performed evenly, regularly and moderately. Avoid watering in hot weather during the day. Warm, settled water is poured only between the carrot rows.

Cracking does not affect the taste of root vegetables, but is accompanied by the following problems:

• reduction of shelf life;
• complication of transportation - during transportation the carrots are even more damaged;
• increased amount of waste when cleaning root crops;
• unattractive appearance of carrots - often the gardener gets double and triple root vegetables with many cracks;
• difficult to process, since the cracks become clogged with earth.

Is it possible to save cracked carrots?

Bursted root vegetables are not suitable for storage. They quickly rot, and, being next to a good harvest, they spoil it too. Additionally, they cause the appearance of midges and an unpleasant odor.

Is it suitable for use?

Cracked carrots are edible. It is washed, cleaned and processed - grated and sent to the freezer. It is not defrosted before use.

Some of the harvest is used for preservation. Root vegetables will not spoil the taste of cooked dishes and will be a good seasoning for soups. Carrots are also used to make healthy juices and delicious desserts.

Conclusion

Preventing cracking of carrots is not difficult if you take into account our recommendations and advice.The main thing is to choose light and breathable soil, alternate carrot plantings with green manure, follow the watering schedule, avoid excess fertilizer, and harvest on time. If the carrots do burst, they should be processed as quickly as possible.