Content
Many gardeners never stop looking for the perfect carrot varieties... Each of them will have their own selection criteria: for someone the yield of the variety is important, someone evaluates exclusively the taste characteristics, for others the appearance of the root crop is important. Such searches can be very delayed, because a huge variety of carrot varieties have been bred. 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 inappropriate 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:
- The soil on the site is of great importance when choosing a variety.... If it is heavy clay, then it is better to choose short roots. For light soils, all varieties of carrots are perfect, and especially long ones.Advice! 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 carrot varieties, as well as root crops for greenhouses. All other regions can grow any varieties, up to late ripening.
- Ripening period - regardless of the variety, the shorter ones always ripen faster. This must be taken into account when growing in regions with short summers.
- Depending on the purpose of using 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.
Most popular varieties
To date, it is they who hold the palm in landing in our latitudes. They are distinguished by high yields, excellent taste and immunity to many diseases.
Nandrin F1
One of the most popular hybrids with an early maturity - up to 90 days. Its roots have a regular cylindrical shape. They have an orange-red surface and bright orange flesh. The length of ripe carrots will not exceed 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 back in the war years, but despite this, its popularity only grows every year. Nantes carrots are 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 its weight will not exceed 100 grams. The pulp of the root vegetable is particularly tender and juicy. It is ideal for all culinary ideas as well as juicing. The average yield will be up to 6.5 kg per square meter.
Shantane
Chantané carrots are the second most popular carrots after Nantes. It is also mid-season and is characterized by even, smooth, bright orange roots. In their shape, they resemble a cone with a rounded and blunt bottom. Their maximum length will be about 15 cm. Moreover, they are immersed in the ground for their entire length. Only its spreading green rosette is visible.
The orange flesh of Shantane is quite dense and sweet with a barely noticeable heart.
High yield will allow harvesting up to 9 kg per square meter. In addition, Shantane is resistant to cracking and has a long shelf life.
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. They are also great for long-term storage.
Anastasia F1
The carrots of this mid-season popular hybrid are large enough with strong dark green tops. It has a cylindrical shape and a bright orange color. The length will not exceed 22 cm, and the weight will be 160 grams. They are all perfectly sized so they can be grown for sale. Anastasia F1 carrots have excellent taste characteristics. Its orange pulp is juicy and very sweet.
The yield of this hybrid will be about 6 kg per square meter. Moreover, it can be stored without loss of taste and marketability for 8 months.
Dolyanka
An upright rosette of leaves of this popular variety conceals orange carrots. It has a tapered shape with a convex top and a slightly tapered bottom. Dolyanka's length will not exceed 28 cm with a weight of up to 200 grams. The orange pulp has a large heart and excellent taste.
Distinctive qualities are good plant immunity, absence of premature flowering and excellent preservation. Due to its late maturity, a rich harvest will have to wait up to 150 days. Up to 8 kg of carrots can be harvested from one square meter.
The emperor
This late-ripening popular variety is one of the record holders in terms of length and weight. The maximum weight is 200 grams, and the length is 30 cm. Moreover, they have an excellent presentation: all large, smooth and even. The surface and flesh of the Emperor are colored orange-red. Against the background of dense pulp, a small core stands out slightly. Her taste is excellent. It is juicy and moderately sweet. In addition, it has a pleasant aroma. It is perfect for cooking and juice processing.
The emperor does not release flower shoots 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 half-standing rosette of green leaves and a blunt cylindrical root crop. The length of the ripe carrots will be about 15 cm, and the weight will be 160 grams. The orange flesh of this carrot has a diameter of 5 cm in cross section. It has a small heart and excellent taste. It is perfect for both fresh and canned consumption.
The yield of Vitamin 6 can be 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 covers an even semi-conical root crop with a blunt tip. Its length will not exceed 23 cm, and its 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. A small orange core practically does not stand out against its background. 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.
Flakke
Mid-season popular variety from Polish breeders. It is characterized by a cone-shaped orange-red fruit. Its length can reach 30 cm, but most often it is 25 cm, and its weight will not exceed 220 grams. Flakke has an orange flesh with a small orange core. Its commercial qualities are 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.
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Conclusion
In order for these or any other varieties of carrots to please with their taste characteristics and yield, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the video:
