What types of carrot seeds are there, how to choose them correctly, plant them and grow them yourself

Carrots are present in the diet of many people almost every day - as part of first and second courses, salads, casseroles, and pies. Children love juice from orange root vegetables. But few people know what benefits carrot seeds contain. They help in the treatment of various diseases, alleviate the symptoms of difficult pregnancy, relieve spasms and increase immunity. In this article we will talk about carrot seeds: what medicinal properties they have, how to properly grow and preserve them.

Where do carrot seeds come from?

Carrots are a biennial plant, so most gardeners do not see them bloom and produce grains.

In the first year, only greens and roots are produced. In the second year, carrots throw out arrows with small flowers. Seeds are formed at the end of the growing season.

What they look like

The grains are oval-elongated, with ribs with spikes on the surface. Outwardly, they are similar to parsley seeds, but the latter become greenish when pressed, and carrot seeds turn a little yellow.

Types of carrot seeds

For planting, purchased and personally grown seed material is used.

Regular

The simplest seeds are cheaper, but they are also more difficult to plant. They are so small that 1 g contains from 500 to 1000 grains. The plantings are dense and need to be thinned out. In this case, the weak roots of neighboring seedlings are inevitably damaged.

Granular

Pelleted seeds are more convenient because they can be sown immediately at the required distance. They cost more, but the resulting savings are greater. The shell of the dragee consists of nutrients that promote better seed germination and full development of sprouts.

Chemical composition of seeds

Purchased and home-grown carrot seeds have approximately the same set of useful substances. Both contain a large amount of essential oils, due to which the surface of the grains is slightly oily.

Chemical composition:

• glycerides (up to 20% of seed weight): petroselinic, petroselinic, oleic, palmitic, linoleic acids;
• beta-carotene (provitamin A), under the influence of which vitamin A is formed in the human body;
• tocopherols;
• vitamins B, D, E, ascorbic acid;
• minerals: potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, zinc, copper, iodine;
• flavonoids.

The vitamins contained in carrot seeds support healthy skin, eyes, and strengthen the skeletal system. Flavonoids normalize the functioning of the nervous system. Minerals maintain the tone of the heart and blood vessels, regulate the water-salt balance of the body.

Properties

Carrot seeds have:

• analgesic, sedative, regenerating effects;
• anti-inflammatory and tonic properties;
• diuretic effect.

During a difficult pregnancy, a decoction of carrot seeds reduces nausea in the first trimester.

How they are used in folk medicine

For medicinal purposes, carrot and wild carrot seeds are used. In July–August, umbrellas with ripened fruits are collected from cultivated plants, dried and threshed.

To prevent seed loss, the inflorescences are wrapped in cloth or gauze and then peeled in this form.Store in linen bags or glass jars, tightly closed.

In folk medicine, carrot seeds are used:

• for diseases of the liver and spleen;
• constipation and flatulence;
• high blood pressure;
• menstrual irregularities;
• gallstones and kidney stones;
• parasites.

In addition, products with carrot grains remove salts from the body, relieve spasms and inflammation.

Reference. In most folk recipes, tinctures and decoctions are prepared from carrot seeds. Sometimes the grains are consumed dry.

Contraindications for use – allergic reaction to the product, peptic ulcer, diabetes mellitus, asthma, acute inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and intestines, heart failure.

Carrot seed oil has a healing effect. It is difficult to prepare it at home, but it can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Carrot seed oil:

• heals wounds;
• increases immunity;
• normalizes the activity of the nervous system;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Wild carrot seeds for treatment

Their application is wider than that of seed crops. Collected and dried wild carrot seeds are ground in a mortar or ground in a coffee grinder.

In folk medicine, wild carrot seeds are used for:

• pain relief;
• increased sexual desire;
• treatment of tuberculosis;
• increased lactation;
• removing kidney stones;
• treatment of osteochondrosis.

Children are given wild carrot seeds in the form of decoctions to get rid of worms, especially pinworms, relieve intestinal colic, and vitamin A deficiency.

How to choose the right variety of carrot seeds

The choice is determined by the purpose: for obtaining root vegetables or seeds, for summer consumption or winter storage, with a high content of carotene or minerals.Hybrids marked with code F1 are not suitable for growing for seeds: they will not produce the required seed material.

Selection of early, medium, late varieties

Only late varieties are suitable for winter storage of root crops. Early and mid-season ones are best consumed as they ripen.

Popular varieties of early carrots (with a ripening period of up to 90-100 days from the moment of emergence):

1. Alenka. High-yielding variety, resistant to diseases. The root vegetable is cylindrical in shape, weighing 100-120 g, with a high sugar content, juicy, crispy. The first root crops are obtained after 50 days.
2. The Bureau. Ultra-early ripening high-yielding variety. The root crop is elongated, almost without a core, smooth, juicy and tasty.
3. Touchon. The root vegetables are cylindrical, weighing up to 140 g, with juicy orange pulp. The variety is resistant to disease and cracking. Used fresh and for canning.

Early carrots are good because they are ready for consumption within 1.5 months after germination. When planted late, root crops have good shelf life - up to 3-4 months.

The best mid-season carrot varieties:

1. Nantes-4. Resistant to carrot fly. Root vegetables have good shelf life, their carotene content is the highest - 18%.
2. Delicious. Root vegetables are conical, elongated, bright red, with a high sugar content.
3. Samson. Large universal-purpose root vegetables are used fresh and for making juices, purees, canning, and storage.

Mid-ripening varieties reach technical ripeness 4 months after emergence. They store well and have excellent taste.

The best mature varieties with a high content of vitamins and minerals:

1. Queen of Autumn. High-yielding carrots with excellent taste. It stores well - almost until the next harvest.
2. Autumn giant. Bright orange root vegetables with juicy pulp and high carotene content. Root crops weighing 180-250 g are well stored and resistant to diseases.
3. Red giant. A favorite late variety of most gardeners. The roots are cylindrical, large, with small eyes. High content of carotene and minerals. Cold-resistant variety with good keeping quality.

Late varieties are intended for long-term storage. They are distinguished by good taste, not lost for several months. Ripening period is 130-140 days.

The best varieties for open ground and greenhouses

All carrot seeds sold in our country are for open ground. Some of them are suitable for growing in greenhouses.

They performed well in protected ground:

1. Minicore. Ultra-early ripening and high-yielding variety.
2. Nantes. Designed for long-term storage.
3. Vitamin. Medium ripening, high in carotene, B vitamins and minerals. Resistant to cracking.
4. Losinoostrovskaya-13. A hybrid that produces large cylindrical root crops intended for winter storage.

Carrot varieties that are resistant to disease and bolting, heat-loving and not demanding on soil are suitable for growing in greenhouses.

Choosing a variety for different regions

To obtain a bountiful harvest, zoned varieties of carrots are chosen. Some are suitable for any region, such as Chantanay or Nantes. But to obtain the maximum yield of high-quality root crops that retain their beneficial properties all winter, they adhere to the conditions to which the crop is demanding.

For the middle band The best varieties of carrots in Russia are Boltex, Vitaminnaya, Queen of Autumn, Losinoostrovskaya.

For Siberia – Dunyasha, Zabava, Losinoostrovskaya, Nantes.

For steppe regions (Bashkiria, Tatarstan, Southern Ural) – Baltimore, Blues, Vita Longa, Enchantress.

For the south of Russia – Children's, Children's vitamin, Vigo, Samantha, Turbo.

For northern regions – Vigilance, Medok, Centaur, Charlotte.

A properly selected zoned variety can withstand prolonged droughts or recurrent frosts, grows on acidic or alkaline soils, and is resistant to diseases and pests characteristic of a particular region.

How to plant carrot seeds correctly

Planting material is prepared in advance for sowing. The seeds are pickled in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for at least a day. Soak in warm water for 2-3 days to get rid of essential oils that slow down germination. After soaking, the seeds are dried or germinated in a thick, damp cloth.

Attention! You cannot germinate carrot seeds in gauze. Its thin roots will get tangled in the fibers and break off when trying to extract the seed.

Preparing for landing

The soil for the carrot bed has been prepared since the fall. The bed is dug up, plant debris is removed, and organic and mineral fertilizers are applied. In spring, the soil is loosened again, grooves are cut to a depth of 3-4 cm at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other and watered.

Sowing instructions

To obtain friendly and early shoots and facilitate thinning, carrot seeds are sown in a certain way:

1. Dried immediately laid in accordance with the diagram: 15x20 cm for early varieties and 20x25 cm for late varieties. This is easy to do since the dragees are 2-3 mm in diameter. Before planting, the grooves are moistened - this is the main condition for successful germination.
2. With sand. For 1 part seeds, take 3 parts sand and mix. Sow in the usual way.
3. With paste. In 0.5 tbsp. cold water dissolve 2 tbsp. l. potato starch or 4 tbsp. l. flour. Pour in a thin stream into boiling water (2 tbsp), stir and cool. Pour into a plastic bottle with a hole in the lid, add carrot seeds and shake. Sow by squeezing the mass into the prepared furrows.
4. Tape method. Cut the toilet paper into strips to fit the size of the bed and 1.5 cm wide. Glue the carrot seeds at a distance of 5 cm from each other using office glue and a toothpick. Place the prepared ribbons in the grooves and sprinkle with soil.

After sowing, the soil in the beds is compacted tightly. If voids remain, the light carrot seeds will not gain adhesion to the soil and will not germinate. There is no need to water after planting.

When and how to collect carrot seeds

Collecting seeds cultivated carrots in July - September, depending on the early maturity of the variety. Cut off the inflorescences before they are fully ripe, otherwise the seeds will fall off. They are then tied in bunches and hung to dry, tied with gauze. Dried seeds are threshed.

Storage rules and expiration date

Store dried carrot seeds in glass jars or linen bags.

Self-collected seeds remain viable for five years. They are suitable for medicinal purposes for three years.

Carrot seeds on paper strip

Manufacturers have adopted the method of planting on toilet paper, invented by gardeners. Now planting material can be purchased ready-made on tape. A roll 8-10 m long contains seeds in pockets located at the correct distance.

Such a roll is unwound along the grooves spilled with water, sprinkled with soil and compacted.

Conclusion

Carrots are a healthy vegetable for humans. Its seeds are used to treat many diseases and as a prophylactic against excess salts in the body, to maintain immunity, and to replenish vitamin deficiencies. Growing carrots from seeds is easy. To get an excellent harvest of root crops, and then seed material, varieties are chosen correctly in accordance with their purpose and region.