Watering carrots is carried out according to certain rules. For example, when forming the root system, it is necessary to add a sufficient amount of water, making sure that the liquid does not stagnate. Otherwise, the young shoots will rot and die. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the standards generally accepted for carrots at all phases of plant development.
When and how to water carrots?
The average frequency of moistening carrots - 1 time in 3-5 days, depending on weather and climatic conditions. Watering is carried out with room temperature water, which completely eliminates the possibility of using cold water from a well / well / water supply.
It is much easier to connect the hose to the pipe, install the sprayer and water the vegetables uncontrollably. But first you have to pump water into a separate tank, and then transfer it to the beds. This is due to the fact that cold water has a detrimental effect on the root crop - the plant is dehydrated, since the root system does not absorb water at a low temperature. In addition, root rot develops, various diseases, and the roots simply die off, which leads to the death of the culture.
Since the root of carrots is quite weak, especially at the germination stage of sprouts, it is strictly forbidden to fill with water from a hose. For watering, a watering can is used mainly (with a low water pressure and a divider).
It is advisable to water the plant in the late evening, which eliminates the risk of evaporation of moisture. Before laying the vegetable for long-term storage, irrigation stops for 15-20 days.
Watering rates
The yield of the vegetable and the quality indicators of the root crop depend on compliance with watering standards (during cracking, it cracks). There are general standards:
- increased hydration is necessary in the period from sowing seed to the formation of the fetus;
- the norm of water consumption per 1 ha is from 4,000 to 4,500 cubic meters. m, but if the summer is rainy, then the indicators increase by another 1,000;
- precipitation level - maximum 500 mm;
- from sowing to the formation of root crops, 25-32 cubic meters per hectare is required;
- from the formation of the fetus to ripeness - from 35 to 43 cubic meters. m / ha;
- during the growing season - from 22 to 27 days.
Before sowing
Carrot seeds will never germinate in dry soil, therefore, in the pre-sowing season, abundant moisture is necessary. In very dry soils, the treatment is carried out a few days before sowing. It is important to use a rain nozzle, and not to spray with a high pressure.
In addition, it is recommended to use potassium permanganate, which will neutralize the earth from pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, if the seeds are planted in early spring, and before that it was raining or snowing, then there is no need to water the soil. If planting is carried out in a warmer period, when melt water has already disappeared, then it is necessary to moisten.
After sowing
It is not necessary to fill with water after planting the seed, as this is fraught with leaching of seeds. The only exception is not soil moisture before planting. In this case, a watering can with a spray is used for watering (water is introduced as accurately as possible).
If the emergence of seedlings (the period depends on the climate and other factors) is excessively delayed (sprouts do not break for a long time), and the weather is hot (there is no rain), then it is necessary to drip the beds at a rate of up to 30 cubic meters. m / ha. Make sure that the ground does not have dry crusts or cracks.
To retain moisture, immediately after sowing, pour seed material with a mixture of peat and sand, then cover this thin layer with soil.
Carrot seedlings
Immediately after the formation of seedlings, the amount of moisture introduced increases significantly. This is necessary so that root crops and foliage begin to form. Water daily or every other day, but in small portions. Do this until 3 full stems appear.
Further, the amount of water decreases by almost 2 times. The type of soil must be taken into account - on heavy soil, watering is carried out more often, on light (with peat and sand) - less often.
In the phase of formation of root crops
When the fetus begins to form, the amount of fluid added increases, but the frequency, on the contrary, decreases. For example, if previously you watered a vegetable often and little by little, now it is less common and in many ways.
This is due to the fact that the root crop is increasing in size, respectively, and the depth of watering, too. So, the volume of humidity should reach up to 20 liters per 1 square. m, and the frequency is 1 time per week. The liquid penetration depth is up to 15 cm.
Adult plants
When a carrot becomes an “adult”, water it less often. The quality of the vegetable depends on this - with plenty of moisture, it is covered with hairs and lateral roots.
However, the root crop cannot be left in the over-dried soil, as it becomes hard and cracked. Determining whether you are watering the crop correctly is very simple - the land should not be dry or too wet.
Approximately 3 weeks before the root crops are dug up, hydration ceases completely. But before the harvest itself, it is recommended to water the soil a little, which will facilitate the process of extracting the vegetable from the soil.
Frequent watering errors and their consequences
The soil needs to be moistened at all stages of the development of the root crop and seeds, but it must be done in accordance with the rules, otherwise you can reduce the level of yield.
What mistakes do gardeners make when watering carrots, and what is this fraught with:
- If the crop is in dry soil, the fruits will be coarse and their core will be too light. In addition, tastes are changing - carrots are getting bitterness. If the humidity level, on the contrary, is exceeded, then the fruits stop growing, since the aboveground foliage is developing intensely.
Also, the plant undergoes rotting, mold and other diseases, and the root crop becomes clumsy. To avoid these 2 errors, always water the plants evenly, after the same period of time. The amount of water depends on the stage of development of the vegetable. - Not many people think about what kind of water to fill in carrot culture. But this factor plays an important role. As already mentioned, you can not use cold water, since it kills the root of the plant.
It is forbidden to water from the water supply, as such water often contains chlorine and other impurities. Therefore, pre-fill the water in containers and defend (enough 24-48 hours). But the best option is a natural rain fluid that can be collected during heavy rains. - Another mistake novice growers - beds on a hill. Yes, this technique has the right to life, but not in the case of carrots. The reason for this lies in the fact that the vegetable does not receive a sufficient amount of oxygen, and the moisture does not stay (it quickly goes into the lower layers of the soil). But there is an exception - at a height you can plant carrots with a close location of groundwater and in wetlands.
How to combine watering and top dressing?
To use fertilizing less often, soil is fertilized since the autumn period. If you have not done this, you will have to add organic matter and minerals during the growing season and at the developmental stage.
The first time this is done 20-30 days after emergence (add a little manure or chicken droppings), the second time - another month later, fertilizing with a universal Nitrofoska preparation (1 tbsp. Per bucket of water). And the third time - potassium-based minerals are introduced.
In order not to feed (with a lack of time), you can combine fertilizer with watering. What is needed for that:
- once a week mix water with chopped wood ash (10 liters of warm water need 1 liter of wood tincture);
- twice (with active growth of the fetus and during ripening) 1 tsp is added to a bucket of water. boric acid;
- make decoctions from plants such as nettle, and then water once a month;
- along with watering, manure or compost is introduced.
Try not to overfeed carrots, especially with nitrogen-based products. Otherwise, the taste, appearance and quality of root crops deteriorates.
Watering carrots on mulch soil
Mulching means covering the soil with organic or inorganic material. What can be used for carrots:
- nettles and weeds;
- compost and manure;
- straw, hay and foliage;
- needles and siderates;
- bark and chips;
- peat;
- cardboard and woven materials;
- film and agrofibre.
What provides mulching:
- overheating of plants is excluded;
- moisture does not evaporate;
- weed growth slows down;
- nutrients come in;
- maintains optimal temperature and humidity level;
- productivity increases;
- Strong wind protection.
If you equip the beds with mulch, watering is much less common, and you don’t have to loosen the soil so often. However, in this case, there is the main rule - moisturize rarely, but plentifully.
The relationship of watering and hilling
Spud carrots is necessary, especially if the upper part of the root crop is located above the soil level. Due to this, moisture is preserved, the plant does not receive sunburn, the root system is fed with oxygen.
Hilling is carried out 4 times during the vegetable growth period. At the same time, watering is carried out. This is what allows you to maintain humidity and optimal temperature.
Watering carrots with salt water
Even in the days of our ancestors, when various fertilizers were not invented, carrots and other crops were watered with saline. Salt does not belong to a dressing, but sodium chloride activates other dressings, quickly dissolving nutrients, so that the beneficial elements are absorbed by the plant several times faster and better.
In addition, saline helps in the fight against the main enemies of carrots - pests and diseases. In this case, the tops are sprayed. If you water the soil, then the root crops acquire a characteristic sweetness, the percentage of carotene increases in them.
The most relevant application of salt on infertile and heavy land. It is necessary to water with a solution from the end of July or the beginning of August, that is, at the moment when the formation of the root crop occurs. Depending on the purpose, you can prepare such a solution:
- Against the formation of rot and to accelerate the growth of the fetus. Take a bucket of 10 liters of warm water. Add 1 tbsp. sodium chloride, mix thoroughly until complete dissolution of sodium chloride. Pour the carrots, but not under the root, but into the grooves that are created near the root crops.
- To improve the quality of the soil, a bucket of water will need 2 tbsp. salt.
Immediately before the introduction of the saline solution, it is recommended to irrigate with ordinary water, which will speed up the process of salt action. You can water the solution up to 3 times per season.
In this video you will find useful recommendations from an experienced gardener regarding watering carrots:
Knowing how to properly water carrots at different stages of growth and ripening, you can achieve increased yields. Before planting seeds, be sure to familiarize yourself with the features of moistening a particular variety and strictly adhere to these recommendations. Make sure that the soil does not crack and does not form a dry crust on the surface.
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