Carrots are one of the leading vegetables in terms of vitamin content, taste and nutritional value. The vegetable is consumed fresh, made from root crops, stored in a cellar. Not all varieties of vegetables are suitable for storage for the winter; in order to pick up seeds, it is important to study the basic information about varieties and hybrids. The article provides information on how you can check carrot seeds for germination.

Top 5 varieties of carrots

There are a wide variety of varieties of carrots. To determine the most suitable option, you need to know the main points on the gradation of varieties. Conventionally, all varieties and hybrids of carrots are divided according to:

  • Seed sowing time (spring and autumn planting);
  • Ripening period (early, mid-season, late);
  • Landing condition (open, protected ground);
  • Storage (the degree of keeping quality, for fresh consumption, how many weeks can be stored).

To get the maximum yield, it is important to choose quality seed. Advice on how to check the germination of carrot seeds:

  • Choose 20 seeds of each type;
  • Spread them out, dividing each seed one by one on a damp cloth or paper;
  • Maintain humidity for 2 weeks, periodically open the seeds;
  • After 14 days, you can find out the percentage of germination, you need to count the number of germinated seeds;
  • If the number of sprouts is more than 70%, then carrot seeds should be planted at the rate of 0.6 g per 1 sq. m, if germination is lower, then the gram volume is increased. The check calculates the percentage of viable seeds.

On a note. Seed material must be stored correctly. It is usually stored in a dry place, in sealed bags or boxes. The shelf life of carrot seeds is 3 years.

Gardeners have identified the best varieties that are currently popular in the Russian market. Description of the top 5 of the best vegetable varieties that are suitable for growing outdoors, without preparing seedlings.

Carrot seeds

Vitamin 6

In terms of ripening, Vitamin 6 refers to the mid-season. The ripening period is about 100 days. The root crop, with proper agricultural technology and favorable weather conditions, ripens within 80 days after germination.

Carrot Vitamin

Description:

  • The size of a mature vegetable is 13-15 cm in length;
  • The average weight of a vegetable is 100 g, the maximum weight is 160 g;
  • The root crop is completely in the soil, therefore, ripe carrots have a rich orange color;
  • He has small eyes, the surface of the vegetable is smooth, the core is small in diameter, occupies 20% of the total size of the vegetable, this can be determined by cutting the root crop in half;
  • The vegetable tastes sweet. The pulp is crispy, tender, juicy, it contains 11% sugar and a large amount of carotene.

Benefits:

  • Fruitful hybrid - from 1 sq. m, subject to agricultural technology, you can get up to 7 kg of harvest;
  • Root crops have a high keeping quality, vegetables are well preserved until early spring;
  • Stalk-resistant;
  • The plant is rarely affected by diseases, pests.

The only drawback with Vitamin 6 is root cracking. With improper agricultural technology or if the harvest time is overdue, the vegetable will not look aesthetically pleasing.

Nantes 4

The variety has enjoyed well-deserved popularity for a long time. Nantes 4 is used fresh, the vegetable can be stored in the winter until January. Seeds are sown twice (in early spring and late spring), Nantes 4 is suitable for planting for the winter.

On a note. To get seedlings faster in the garden, you can pre-soak the seeds in a damp cloth or put them in a cloth bag and bury them in the ground to a depth of 20-25 cm.

A mid-season species matures in a period of 78-105 days. The wide range in maturity is justified by the growing conditions. When planting seeds directly on the garden bed, a ripe root crop can be obtained in 100 days. If seedlings were planted in open ground, then the terms are reduced by 3-4 weeks.

Nantes 4

Description of Nantes 4:

  • The vegetable grows up to 16 cm in length;
  • The average weight of a vegetable is 100-120 g;
  • The root crop is cylindrical, the surface is smooth, with small eyes;
  • The color is orange, the core hardly stands out;
  • The pulp is juicy, sweet, tender.

Pros of Nantes 4:

  • Productivity - from 1 sq. m you can grow more than 6 kg of delicious carrots;
  • The root crop is considered to be resistant to stalking;
  • Excellent taste;
  • Disease resistance.

Disadvantages:

  • Possible carrot fly damage;
  • With improper care, the appearance of rot;
  • Not suitable for storage throughout the winter. Has a marketable appearance only until mid-January.

Shantane 2461

The late variety is intended for long-term storage, the root crop can retain its characteristics for up to 8 months if the storage conditions are observed.

Description of Shantane 2461:

  • A cone-shaped root crop with a rounded end;
  • Vegetable size - 14 cm;
  • Ripening period - from 3 to 4 months;
  • The pulp is sweet, juicy, homogeneous, pale orange or yellow-orange in color;
  • The sugar content is 9%, carotene - 15 mg;
  • Depending on the climate in the region of growing vegetables, from 1 sq. m you can harvest from 6 to 10 kg.

Shantane 2461

Advantages of Shantane 2461:

  • The vegetable is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, care, climatic conditions;
  • Shantane 2461 species is considered resistant to various diseases and attacks of pests;
  • Versatile, suitable for long-term storage and fresh consumption;
  • Excellent taste of a mature root crop;
  • High yield up to 10 kg;
  • Ripe root vegetable does not crack.

Incomparable

The variety is intended for cultivation in the Central regions of the Russian Federation, in the Moscow region, in the Urals and the Far East. The incomparable fell in love with gardeners for its taste and resistance to flowering. The grown vegetable justifies the name of the variety "Incomparable".

Specifications:

  • Medium late, ripening period - 90-115 days;
  • A cone-shaped root crop with a blunt end, grows up to 17 cm, the largest diameter is about 5 cm;
  • Weight ranges from 90 to 210 g;
  • The surface is smooth;
  • Many small lateral roots are formed on the root crop;
  • It grows 3 cm above the ground, but the open part does not darken from light;
  • From 1 sq. m harvest from 3 to 7 kg;
  • Stores well all winter, suitable for fresh consumption in autumn and winter.

Carrot Incomparable

Pros:

  • A high percentage of keeping quality, the vegetable is well stored all winter;
  • High productivity;
  • When ripe, the fruits do not crack or damage;
  • Drought tolerant.

On a note. In order for the root crop to retain its marketable appearance and its characteristics for a long time, it is important to observe storage conditions. Usually the vegetable is stored in a cellar or a cool, dark room. The optimum temperature is + 2-4 degrees.

Losinoostrovskaya 13

The mid-ripening carrot Losinoostrovskaya 13 occupies one of the top positions. Main characteristics:

  • Ripening period - 80-100 days;
  • All roots grow approximately the same size, about 15 cm;
  • Average weight - 150 g;
  • The root crop is cylindrical, no noticeable decrease in diameter towards the bottom is observed;
  • The root system is well developed, there are many filiform roots on the sides;
  • A vegetable of a beautiful orange color with a smooth and even surface;
  • The eyes are almost absent;
  • Inside there is a rod, heart-shaped, small in size;
  • Taste characteristics at the height: sweet, juicy;
  • From 1 sq. meter can grow up to 6 kg of carrots;
  • Has a high keeping quality, suitable for storage throughout the winter.

On a note. Carrots prepared for long-term storage should be checked periodically. When mold or rot appears, the spoiled vegetable is immediately thrown away to prevent the spread of the fungus.

Losinoostrovskaya 13

Benefits:

  • High-yielding;
  • Plant resistance to stemming, diseases, pest attacks;
  • Excellent keeping quality, retains its marketable appearance for a long time.

Top varieties of Dutch carrots

Seeder for carrots

Dutch breeders are the leading producers of vegetable hybrids. Dutch carrot seeds are considered universal, high-quality, with fast and 100% germination. The grown plants have excellent taste characteristics, have good immunity and high-quality presentation. Dutch carrot seeds are the best for outdoor use.

The Bureau

Super early variety of carrots, the crop can be harvested 8-9 weeks after the first shoots appear. Seeds are planted in March. The harvest can be obtained from May to October.

Bureau carrots are suitable for sowing for the winter. The variety needs regular watering, the soil should be moderately moist. The seeds can be sown in a greenhouse or outdoors.

Description:

  • The length of a mature root crop reaches 16-18 cm;
  • Vegetable weight ranges from 74 to 250 g;
  • The root crop is completely submerged in the soil;
  • The structure of the outer shell of the vegetable is aligned, smooth, bright orange in color;
  • Suitable for winter storage, does not lose its presentation up to 4 months after harvest;
  • The pulp is sweet, tender to taste;
  • Carrots are consumed fresh, harvested for the winter.

 

Benefits:

  • Bureau of high yielding;
  • Resistant to shooting and disease;
  • Beautiful appearance of the root crop;
  • Excellent taste.

Romos

Mid-season high-yielding Dutch carrot variety - Romos, grown in Russia. Seeds begin to be planted at the end of April, without prior germination. At the end of October, you can make a bed with Romos carrots for winter sowing.

The variety is picky about care. The plant needs constant loosening of the soil, does not tolerate stagnation of water. Watering should be moderate.

Description of Romos:

  • The vegetable ripens 120 days after the first shoots sprout;
  • A mature root crop grows in length up to 23 cm;
  • Average weight - 200 g;
  • Carrots are cylindrical in shape, the tip is slightly pointed;
  • The color of the ripe root vegetable is bright orange, the core is the same shade as the vegetable.

The Bureau

Benefits:

  • High productivity. From 1 sq. m can be grown up to 6.5 kg of carrots, on any type of soil;
  • Keeping quality - 95%, subject to storage conditions, carrots are suitable for fresh consumption for 8 months;
  • Resistant to cracking, the fruit is easily removed from the ground, does not break.

Carini

Late Dutch carrot variety. The fruit ripens 130 days after germination. Carini is appreciated for its unpretentious care and growing conditions, pleasant taste, high carotene content.

Seeds can be planted outdoors at the end of April. The vegetable will grow well on loose sandy loam soils. The garden area should be well lit. The seeds should be buried 1 cm. The recommended distance between rows is 20 cm.

Carrots are eaten fresh, canned, frozen and processed.

Description:

  • A conical vegetable grows 15 cm in length;
  • The weight of the root crop reaches a maximum of 160 g;
  • The color of the pulp is bright orange;
  • From 1 sq. m receive up to 4 kg of harvest.

Carini

Benefits:

  • Possibility of long-term fresh storage;
  • The vegetable retains its presentation and taste for a long time.

All of the listed varieties of carrots have outstanding characteristics. The gardener decides which variety to buy, depending on the purpose and region of growing the root crop. When choosing, you should take into account the ripening time, requirements for weather conditions, soil. To make the cultivation of a tasty root crop not a hassle, it is better to buy varieties that are resistant to diseases and pests.