Top dressing of carrots in the open field: recipes, rules

The article describes in detail the feeding of carrots in the open field: terms, rules for feeding with various types of fertilizers, folk remedies.

When we just got a summer cottage, in the first year we managed to get a very rich harvest of all crops and carrots, including. There was so much of it that we shared it with neighbors and friends. That's right, the land had not been cultivated before and was extremely rich in nutrients. To our great regret, the next year's harvest was completely different from the previous one. And after several years, having studied the rules of crop rotation, having gained experience, I can say with confidence that if you want to harvest a good harvest of tasty and beautiful root crops every year, then fertilization is simply necessary, it is important to do it on time and in the correct dosages - just about that's what we'll talk about in this article.

Top dressing of carrots in the open field: fertilization options

Top dressing of carrots in the open field: fertilization options

Carrots respond to any feeding, well perceiving both organic and mineral fertilizers. The main thing is to know what exactly the culture needs more at certain stages of the growing season, how much fertilizer should be applied and at what time. An overabundance of nutrients, as well as a deficiency, will not have a very good effect on the growth of root crops, so it is important to maintain a balance.

Organic fertilizers

When introducing organic matter under carrots, it is very important to remember that the fertilizer should not be fresh - the manure will ruin your entire crop, the carrots will start to rot right in the ground. And from an excess of nitrogen, all the forces of the plant will be concentrated in the tops - it will be powerful and lush, and the roots will be small and gnarled. Instead of fresh manure, use humus and compost, wood ash, mullein and bird droppings solutions. Any organic fertilizer, with the exception of ash, must be well rotted, this is important. And experienced gardeners recommend adding organic matter not during the growing season of carrots, but when preparing the land in the autumn, so you will be able to achieve the best results.

Mineral fertilizers

And this option of fertilizers will just be the main one in the process of carrot growth. Here the choice is yours - you can add each element separately, mix them together, or initially purchase a complex fertilizer. Carrots need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If you decide to add each element separately, then you will need to add ammonium nitrate or urea, superphosphates (simple or double), and also something potassium - salt or nitrate.

Or you can opt for complex fertilizers and use any of the mixtures listed: nitrophoska, azofosk, nitrofos, nitroammofosk. However, despite the fact that these mixtures are called complex, you still need to additionally fertilize the crop in order for the nutrition to be complete. To do this, you can use Kemiru or Solution, they will supplement the required amount of trace elements for your carrots and ensure good growth of root crops.

Top dressing of carrots in the open field with folk remedies

Fertilizer prepared according to folk recipes is good because it is also organic. And let the preparation of infusions or decoctions take some time, believe me, such dressings are very useful and fully justify the effort.

Grass-based dressings are very popular (yes, weeds can also be beneficial), as well as dry or fresh yeast. Below you can read the recipes using each product.

1. Dissolve a kilogram of fresh yeast in 5 liters of water and leave for 2-3 hours. Then dilute the resulting mixture 1:10 and water the carrots. When you prepare a yeast fertilizer, the liquid must be warm, since it is in this environment that the yeast begins to work and bring maximum benefits.

2. This recipe will require 100 grams of dry granular yeast, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 10 liters of water. Dissolve the products in liquid and leave on pat for hours, then dilute the mixture with 50 liters of water and water the garden.

3. And finally, herbal infusion, for which you can use nettle, cut grass or weeds from the garden (the main thing is to remove the seeds). Fill the container by a third with chopped grass, fill it with water and leave it loosely covered for a couple of weeks for the fermentation process. Then dilute the resulting infusion 1:10 and water the carrots.

You can use yeast-based fertilizers no more than three times per season, but the herbal infusion can be used every 1.5-2 weeks.

Top dressing of carrots in the open field: when and how much to feed

Top dressing of carrots in the open field: when and how much to feed

Above, we talked about the importance of finding a balance. Sometimes it happens that gardeners, seeing how well the crop responds to feeding, begin to apply fertilizers more often than necessary, and as a result ruin the crop. Carrots do not tolerate an excess of fertilizers very well, while the appearance and quality of root crops deteriorate, and the storage duration is also reduced. Therefore, let's talk in more detail about when and in what quantities to fertilize carrots.

We have already found out that the most important elements for the development of carrots are potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. Each of them should be a certain number and none should dominate. Nitrogen and potassium are essential for growth, while phosphorus provides the taste and sweetness of carrots.

Soil preparation

The first portion of fertilizer should be applied during the autumn preparation of the site. As usual, the earth must be dug up and well cleaned of all plant residues, since most often they are a source of possible crop diseases. After that, add rotted organic matter - 10 kg of humus or compost per square meter, as well as wood ash or mineral fertilizer containing potassium and phosphorus. If your area is clayey soil, you can add a mixture of pestle and peat or sawdust. If the level of acidity of the soil is increased, then add chalk or dolomite flour, but keep in mind that it is not recommended to use lime on the beds with carrots, it has a bad effect on the shape of the root crops.

Before boarding

In the spring, 3-3.5 weeks before the start of planting, it is recommended to apply fertilizers with nitrogen and phosphorus, but potassium should be applied closer to planting and it is better to pre-dissolve the fertilizer in water, since in this form of carrots it will be easier to assimilate. Or, instead of gradually adding minerals, use a complex fertilizer (for example, AVA) when planting: mix a teaspoon of fertilizer with sand (0.5 cups) and a teaspoon of carrot seeds and sow this mixture.

In the process of growth

The time for the next feeding comes when the plants have 2-3 true leaves and it is time to thin them out. Fertilizers are best applied in liquid form, as they are more effective, and one thing should be used: either organic matter or mineral fertilizer. If you choose organic matter, water with a weak solution of bird droppings (dilute 1:15). If you prefer mineral fertilizers, dissolve nitrate (25 grams), potassium salt and superphosphate (30 grams each) in 10 liters of water. This solution is enough for 10 square meters of carrot beds.At the initial stage, plants need nitrogen, but after July 15, it should be excluded from fertilizers (it's very easy to remember: mid-summer - we no longer use nitrogen!).

The next feeding is carried out after about three weeks, using the same mixture, but after another three weeks the nitrogen in the mixture is no longer used. For 10 liters of liquid, you will need 40 grams of superphosphate and 25 grams of potassium salt. In parallel with mineral fertilizers, you can use Kemira, Solution or Krastallon solutions for feeding, increasing the dose with each next feeding. The last feeding is carried out about a month before harvesting, the roots have formed by this time, and the feeding will be aimed exclusively at improving the taste - it will make the fruits more juicy and sweet.

Carrots: feeding and care in the open field, basic rules for fertilization

If you are fertilizing in liquid form, then keep in mind that this process does not replace watering. First, moisten the soil well, and only then apply liquid fertilizers. If you use dry mineral fertilizers, then on the contrary, you will need subsequent watering. That is, the main rule of feeding is that fertilization of the crop always occurs in conjunction with watering.

When we talk about 3-4 dressings per season, we take into account all dressings. That is, you cannot fertilize three times with organic matter and then three more times with mineral fertilizers, so you will only harm the plants. "Overeating" of nutrients will negatively affect the shape of the roots, their taste and storage. So be careful with the timing and dosage of fertilizers. Not only the quality and quantity of the crop depends on how correct your actions will be, but also the resistance of plants to diseases and pests, as well as the duration of storage of the harvested crop.

Top dressing of carrots in the open field