Contents
Watering carrots is one of the basic stages of crop care. Its correct schedule and volume ensure growth and development, a good harvest. The structure of root crops, their taste, juiciness, chemical composition, and appearance depend on irrigation.
How many times and when to water carrots in the open field
Features of watering carrots depend on the specific stage of its growing season. During its duration, the frequency and volume of moistening mainly change.
Watering carrots after planting seeds
When planting carrots, water the soil before planting the seeds. First prepare the grooves, then moisten them. Seeds are sown after water absorption.
If the soil is dry by the time of sowing, it is better to water the beds in two days. It is best to do this with a hose with a spray nozzle or a watering can.
Approximately 1,5-2 weeks pass before the emergence of seedlings. Watering carrots after planting seeds in the ground during this period is required, the soil should remain moderately moist. The volume of water and the frequency of its application are oriented to the structure of the earth, weather conditions. To keep the soil moist, you can cover it with a film or mulch.
After emergence of sprouts
When the carrot seeds hatch, watering the plantings is increased. The beds should not dry out. At the initial stage, the root system of the culture is weak, therefore it is more difficult for it to absorb moisture. At this stage, frequent, but rather superficial watering is needed. In cool weather, it is enough to produce it every week. It is better to water carrots in the heat once every 4-5 days.
The need for watering carrots is easy to check by the condition of the soil – if 2-3 cm from above are dry, and then the earth is moist, then irrigation is not required
During the formation of roots
Active formation of root crops begins when their thickness is from 0,5 cm in the phase of 4-5 leaves. From this moment until ripening, carrots are watered infrequently, but plentifully. It is optimal to spend up to 12-17 liters of water per 1 m². The soil should be moistened 10-15 cm deep.
In June-July, it is enough to produce 4-6 waterings per month. If the culture does not have enough moisture, then growth will slow down, and the quality of root crops will suffer significantly.
Watering carrots in August is enough 1-2 times a month. Water consumption is reduced to 5-6 liters per 1 m².
Carrots need to be watered if there is no rain. With heavy rainfall, there is enough moisture for the culture.
Do I need to water carrots before harvesting?
Watering carrots in September or in another harvest month is stopped 2-3 weeks in advance. In dry weather, this period is reduced to 7-10 days. You can make a light watering a few days before harvesting to facilitate the extraction of root crops from the ground.
How to water carrots outdoors
The best option for watering carrots is warm, settled water. The optimum temperature is 18-20 °C. For such purposes, it is good to have several large barrels or other containers on the site. Cool water is also suitable, but only not cold. When the liquid is settled, the salts settle, therefore they do not fall on the beds, which is useful.
Water carrot beds early in the morning or in the evening after sunset. Irrigation of culture during the day is possible only on cloudy days, it should be carried out before lunch. It is more efficient to water carrots in the evening when the air temperature drops. Overnight, the culture will absorb more moisture. When moistened in the morning, valuable water evaporates, especially in the heat, drought.
The dark green color of the tops, its twisting and wilting indicates a significant moisture deficit – carrots need emergency watering
Watering carrot beds can be done in many ways. At the initial stage, the root system has not yet grown strong, so it is worth using a watering can with a spray nozzle. This method of watering is followed until germination and for some time after that.
When the root system gets stronger, you can switch to the sprinkling method. This method of watering is as close as possible to the natural moisture of plants with precipitation. Thanks to sprinkling, the air supply of the crop improves, and the risk of waterlogging is eliminated. With this method of irrigation, it is effective to combine foliar top dressing, preventive spraying against pests.
Some gardeners water the carrot beds along the furrows. This method is considered surface irrigation, it is laborious.
The most effective option is drip irrigation of carrots in open ground. Water flows in small portions as close as possible to the root system. Its supply is provided by tubes, hoses or tapes with special holes. The benefits of drip irrigation are many, including:
- less water consumption;
- exclusion of surface runoff;
- reduction in labor costs;
- the possibility of simultaneous introduction of nutrients.
You can buy a ready-made system for drip irrigation of carrots or make it yourself. For convenience, you should pay attention to the options with a timer.
Hilling also contributes to the retention of moisture in the earth. Additionally, this measure improves oxygen metabolism, protects root crops from sunburn.
Combination of watering with top dressing
Watering carrots is often combined with top dressing, since many preparations involve the preparation of a solution. For 1-1,5 m² they take a 10-liter bucket of water and the following substances:
- after the first thinning, 20-25 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of potassium chloride, 30 g of superphosphate;
- after the second thinning, 30 g of potassium chloride and superphosphate;
- at the beginning of August 30 g of potassium chloride.
Fertilizer solutions can be applied under the root, but it is better to make grooves, stepping back from the plants 5-10 cm. After watering combined with top dressing, loosening is necessary.
When shaping carrots, it is useful to use wood ash. It serves as a potash fertilizer, prevention of diseases and pests. A solution is made from wood ash and added to water for irrigation of carrots 1:10.
Fertilizers are also applied in dry form. The required amount of substances is evenly distributed over the garden, then it is watered abundantly. The effectiveness of this method is lower; to increase it, fertilizers must be placed not on the surface, but slightly deepened. The uniformity of their distribution depends on the structure and composition of the soil.
Carrots are always fertilized after rain or heavy watering, or combined with it – this rule applies to all types of top dressing
Common watering mistakes and their consequences
Watering is one of the most important stages in the care of carrots. Often gardeners make mistakes that lead to unpleasant consequences:
- Alternating periods of dryness and high humidity. This happens with a rare visit to the garden, during which they strive to do everything to the maximum. Due to such differences, the volume of the core of root crops increases dramatically, because they crack.
- Watering until harvest. Because of this, carrots crack.
- Excessive watering. With a constant excess of moisture, root crops accumulate few nutrients, lose their sweetness, become hard and rough. Excessive watering significantly increases the risk of disease, especially fungal.
- Frequent watering, but too small volumes. Carrots will be sluggish, small, and weed growth will accelerate.
- Moisture deficiency. This slows down the growth and development of the culture, deprives the roots of juiciness and sweetness, distorts them, and gives them an intense yellow color.
- Watering carrots in the sun. Due to the rapid evaporation of moisture, the plants will overheat and may get burned.
- Irrigation with cold water. Low temperatures cause crop stress, slow growth, and make plants more vulnerable to disease and other negative factors.
Conclusion
Watering carrots is a must. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the crop depend on its correct implementation. The frequency of irrigation and water consumption are oriented to the phase of crop development. Violation of the schedule, deficiency or excess of moisture, alternation of dry periods with overflows and other factors lead to negative consequences.
