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Many gardeners never stop looking for the perfect carrot variety. Each of them will have their own selection criteria: for some, the yield of a variety is important, for some it is only the taste characteristics that are important, for others the appearance of the root crop is important. Such searches can take a long time, because there are a lot of varieties of carrots. It will be much easier to choose not from all varieties, but only from those that have been popular for a long time. In this article, we will consider the most popular varieties of carrots.
How to choose the right variety
There are no bad varieties – there are unsuitable growing conditions. You need to choose a variety for planting, depending on the conditions on the site. Only in this case, the carrot harvest will be able to please the gardener with excellent quality. There are some selection criteria for this:
- Of great importance when choosing a variety is the soil on the site.. If it is heavy clay, then it is better to choose short root crops. For light soils, all varieties of carrots are perfect, and especially long ones.Council! If the gardener wants to plant another variety on clay soil, then first he will have to dilute the earth with sand. This will change its density and create better conditions for growing carrots.
- Depending on the climate. For the northern regions, you need to choose early and mid-season varieties of carrots, as well as root crops for greenhouses. All other regions can grow any variety, up to late-ripening ones.
- Maturation period – regardless of the variety, shorter ones always ripen faster. This must be taken into account when growing in regions with a short summer.
- Depending on the purpose of the crop. If the crop is not grown for sale, then it is better to give preference to zoned varieties. For sale, foreign root crops are better suited – they have a more attractive appearance.
You can find out which varieties are suitable for the selected region in the botanical garden of this region.
The most popular varieties
To date, it is they who hold the palm for landing in our latitudes. They are distinguished by high yield, excellent taste and immunity to many diseases.
Nandrin F1
One of the most popular hybrids with early ripening – up to 90 days. Its root crops have the correct cylindrical shape. They have an orange-red surface and bright orange flesh. The length of a mature carrot will be no more than 20 cm, and the weight will not exceed 170 grams.
In addition, this hybrid is characterized by excellent disease resistance and excellent keeping quality. The average yield per square meter will be 6 kg.
Nantes
This root crop of Soviet selection was obtained during the war years, but despite this, its popularity is only growing every year. Carrot Nantes is mid-season, that is, from the first shoots to harvesting, no more than 100 days will pass.
The cylindrical obtuse shape of the carrot is colored orange. Its length will be up to 14 cm, and the weight will not exceed 100 grams. The pulp of the root crop is particularly tender and juicy. It is ideal for all culinary ideas, as well as for processing into juice. The average yield will be up to 6,5 kg per square meter.
Shantane
Shantane carrots are the second most popular after Nantes. It is also mid-season and is characterized by even and smooth roots of a bright orange color. In their shape, they resemble a cone with a rounded and blunt bottom. Their maximum length will be about 15 cm. At the same time, they are immersed in the ground for the entire length. Only its sprawling green rosette is visible.
The orange pulp of Shantane is quite dense and sweet with a barely noticeable core.
High yield will allow you to collect up to 9 kg per square meter. In addition, Shantane is resistant to cracking and can be stored for a long time.
The largest varieties
They stand out noticeably for their large size. Their smallest root crop will be 20 cm long, with a maximum of 30 cm. In addition, they are great for long-term storage.
Anastasia F1
The carrots of this mid-season popular hybrid are quite large with strong dark green tops. It is cylindrical in shape and bright orange in color. The length will not exceed 22 cm, and the weight will be 160 grams. They are all perfectly aligned in size, which makes it possible to grow them for sale. Carrot Anastasia F1 has excellent taste characteristics. Its orange flesh is juicy and very sweet.
The yield of this hybrid will be about 6 kg per square meter. At the same time, it can be stored without loss of taste and commercial qualities for 8 months.
Dolyanka
An upright rosette of leaves from this popular variety hides orange carrots. She has a conical shape with a convex top and a slightly pointed bottom. The length of Dolyanka will not exceed 28 cm and weigh up to 200 grams. Orange pulp has a large core and excellent taste.
Distinctive qualities are good plant immunity, the absence of premature flowering and excellent preservation. Due to its late ripeness, a rich harvest will have to wait up to 150 days. From one square meter it will be possible to collect up to 8 kg of carrots.
The Emperor
This late-ripening popular variety is one of the record holders for length and weight. The maximum weight will be 200 grams, and the length is 30 cm. At the same time, they have an excellent presentation: all are large, smooth and even. The surface and flesh of the Emperor are orange-red in color. Against the background of dense pulp, a small core stands out a little. She has excellent taste. It is juicy and moderately sweet. In addition, it has a pleasant aroma. It is perfect for use in cooking and for processing into juice.
The emperor does not release a flower shoot in the first year of cultivation. In addition, it is resistant to stalking.
The yield of carrots will be up to 5 kg per square meter. The crop is perfectly stored and is even able to significantly improve its taste during storage. This is one of the varieties that can be successfully planted before winter.
The most productive varieties
These varieties have not only excellent taste characteristics, but also increased productivity. It is important to note that high yields can only be obtained if the necessary growing conditions are provided.
Vitamin 6
One of the best popular mid-season root crops. Orange carrots can be harvested after 110 days from germination. Vitamin 6 has a semi-erect rosette of green leaves and a blunt cylindrical root crop. The length of a ripened carrot will be about 15 cm, and the weight will be 160 grams. The orange flesh of this carrot in cross section has a diameter of 5 cm. It has a small core and excellent taste. It is perfect for both fresh consumption and canning.
The yield of Vitamin 6 can reach up to 10 kg of carrots per square meter.
Canada F1
This mid-season hybrid has a powerful semi-spreading rosette of dark green leaves. It closes a smooth semi-conical root crop with a blunt tip. Its length will not exceed 23 cm, and the weight will be in the range from 120 to 160 grams. The rich orange surface of this carrot has an orange pulp with a diameter of 5 cm. Against its background, a small orange core practically does not stand out. Canada F1 carrots are juicy and have a sweet taste. In addition, it is very rich in carotene – up to 21 mg.
On average, the yield of carrots will be 7 kg per square meter. But under favorable growing conditions, it can reach up to 10 kg.
Flaccus
Mid-season popular variety from Polish breeders. It is characterized by orange-red fruits in the shape of a cone. Its length can reach 30 cm, but most often it is 25 cm, and its weight does not exceed 220 grams. Flakke has orange flesh with an orange small core. Its commercial quality is quite high. In addition to being used for culinary purposes, it is also perfect for winter storage.
The yield of carrots will be up to 10 kg per square meter.
Reviews
Conclusion
In order for these or any other varieties of carrots to please with their taste characteristics and yields, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the video:
