Nantes carrots are a widespread variety. It has earned its positive reputation for its good taste, long shelf life and versatility. This crop can be grown under different climatic conditions, therefore it is popular throughout Russia, in Europe and Asia.

History of creation

The variety Nantes was bred by Soviet scientists about 80 years ago. Over time, domestic and European breeders tried to improve it. As a result of their robots, several varieties of this variety appeared.

According to technical criteria, Nantes carrots are considered a classic, standard. When creating new mid-season varieties, breeders take the qualities of this variety as a basis and try to improve them.

Appearance

Variety characteristics

Losinoostrovskaya carrots

Main technical characteristics of Nantes carrots:

  • Visual characteristics: root crop of the correct cylindrical shape, size - up to 17 cm, weighing 100-150 g, 25 cm high, red-orange or bright orange. During the ripening period, the top of the carrot is prone to pigmentation (from dark green to purple). This feature does not affect the taste;
  • The quality of the fruit. Not prone to cracking, splitting, flowering. The core is dense, juicy, of a pleasant orange color;
  • Cultivation terms. The variety is mid-early or mid-season (depending on the variety of the variety). The first fruits can be expected as early as 50 days after sowing. But, in general, the optimal growth period for carrots is approximately 80 days;
  • Adaptation to different climatic conditions. The variety has good frost resistance, is hardy to high temperatures and sudden changes in weather;
  • Okay tolerates transportation and is stored for a long time, while retaining useful qualities, it is not affected by rot;
  • High productivity. With proper care, you can grow a crop of more than 6 kg per square meter.

Improving the classic carrots of Nantes, breeders have bred several types of this variety, which the business executives liked. They are different, but at the same time retain the qualities that made Nantes so beloved.

The most famous varieties of carrots in Nantes: Nantes 2, Nantes 4, Nantes 14 (improved), Nantes red.

The main features of the variety Nantes 2:

  • used mainly in European countries (bred by French breeders);
  • early ripening (growing season - 3 months);
  • carrot color is light orange, length - up to 15 cm.

Characteristics and description of the carrot variety Nantes 4:

  • A classic example of a well-known variety. The pride of Russian selection. It is the basis for breeding other varieties;
  • Early variety, ripens in 100-120 days;
  • Fruits are orange, medium in size, weighing up to 150 g and up to 15 cm long, regular shape;
  • Adapted to different weather conditions;
  • Differs in a high level of carotene, is universal in use; perfect for dietetic food, both raw and cooked.

Packaging Nantes 4

Description of carrots of the Nantes 14 (improved) variety, a traveling version of the main variety, with some differences:

  • mid-early appearance;
  • fruits are slightly larger, weighing 100-160 g and up to 20 cm in size;
  • the color is bright orange;
  • high sugar content - good for baby food and raw food.

The main distinguishing qualities of Nantes red carrots:

  • mid-season variety;
  • resistance to some diseases that affect other varieties of this variety;
  • red-orange color, high level of carotene, distinctive juiciness; suitable for making carrot juice.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Carrots: seeds, the best varieties for Siberia

Main advantages:

  • carrots have excellent taste;
  • fruits of medium size - up to 17 cm, grow evenly, approximately the same volume (up to 150 g) and regular shape;
  • the optimal composition that allows you to include Nantes carrots in the diet of children, pregnant women and use in a variety of diets:
  1. the correct ratio of sugar and carotene;
  2. vitamins (B1, B2, K, C, PP);
  3. minerals (potassium, iron, phosphorus, iodine);
  4. folic acid.

With the obvious advantages of Nantes carrots, there are some disadvantages of growing it:

  • High requirements for soil quality. This variety prefers light, well-fertilized soils. In addition, the root crop needs sunlight and abundant watering;
  • Disease susceptibility. To preserve the harvest, you have to process the carrots with special means.

Quality soil care

Agrotechnics

The Nantes variety prefers light soils and an abundance of sunlight. Otherwise, the quality of the crop will decrease: the fruits will be small, irregular in shape.

Shantane carrots

Another feature of this variety is that it can be sown in spring and late autumn.

Good precursors for carrots are potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers. You should not plant this crop after parsley, cilantro.

Note! It is not recommended to plant carrots in one place for two seasons in a row. You need to give the soil time to rest.

Before planting, a bed is prepared. This is best done in November, in dry weather. Then you need to fertilize the soil with peat, sand, humus. If possible, you can strengthen it with boards. Dig up to a depth of 20-25 cm.

The next step is to determine when to sow your carrots. If you want to have an early harvest, you should start planting in a prepared bed. This process consists of several steps:

  • level the surface;
  • cut several grooves up to 1.5 cm deep (the distance between the grooves must be at least 25 cm);
  • plant carrot seeds, cover with earth;
  • pour over slightly warmed water.

For the winter, it is necessary to cover the crops with agrofibre. In the spring, when the soil warms up well, it is worth weeding the garden bed, treating it well. The first harvest will be in May.

Uniform beds

If a decision is made to sow in spring, then it can be carried out already in April, but on condition that the air temperature is high enough and the soil warms up well.

On a note.Nantes carrots need watering. At first, it is worth watering the beds every day, gradually increasing the interval to a week.

After germination, carrots must be thinned out. The optimum distance between plants is 6 cm.

To obtain a larger yield, fertilizers can be applied in the form of potassium salts, superphosphates, urea (the preparations "Hera", "Agrovita" are widely used). You can use these fertilizers only strictly according to the instructions, no more than two times per season.

Important! Root crops of this variety are susceptible to diseases (white, black, bacterial rot). To preserve the crop, harvest and store it in dry conditions. For the prevention of damage by a carrot fly, carrot shoots should be treated with Karatan, Bayleton or other drugs with a similar effect.

Nantes carrots are one of the best mid-early varieties. Its main advantages are high productivity, endurance, and taste. Even with some disadvantages (exactingness to the soil and a tendency to disease), this variety occupies a well-deserved leadership position in terms of crop quality and popularity among gardeners.