When to dig up carrots: 2 ways to seize the best moment are enough (not too early, not too late).

Flaming fireworks, fellow gardeners and owners of beds with orderly rows of carrots!

The harvesting campaign at our dachas and household plots is in full swing. The turn of the carrots will come soon. It is important to pull out the root crop in time, when it is filled to the maximum with juice, glucose and vitamins. After reading the article to the end, you will recognize 2 signs that I am guided by. And I advise you, comrades!

About the dates of the carrots stated on the seed bag

On the packaging of each variety of carrots there is a mark: "Early maturing", "Mid-season", "Late maturing" And the number of days that must pass from the appearance of fluffy seedlings to technical ripeness.

But I am guided by the official instructions of the manufacturers only approximately. Indeed, in practice, the rate of ripening depends not only on the capabilities of the variety. There is no need to discount the nutrition of the root crop, illumination, summer weather

. All these factors can shift the ripeness of carrots with both the "+" and "-" signs.

When the date for harvesting carrots is approaching according to information from the manufacturer, I just begin to closely observe what is happening in the garden. And in order to seize the best moment, when it's not too early and not too late, in my garden practice I use 2 sure signs.

And what about your carrots, comrades? Have you tried it or are you looking forward to X-Day? Share your preliminary results of work on the carrot bed. Tell us in the comments at the bottom of the article - for example, I'm terribly interested!

Let's take a look at the roots: they can say more about the ripeness of the carrots than the promises about the manufacturer's timing.

By the expected harvest date, I begin to inspect the inside of the garden. Simply put, I periodically pull out the carrots and look at the state of the root system.

It is important to seize the moment before the small white carrot roots and they have not yet darkened and grown. If the "strings" begin to actively develop, then a phenomenon will occur, which for some reason is called "re-rooting".

I do not know the mechanisms and reasons for this phenomenon. But I understand that the growth of lateral sponge roots will take away nutritious juices from carrots. So we dig until there are very few roots and the root crop is not overripe.

Top view: what the carrot tops tell about

You can determine the readiness of carrots for harvesting by the state of the tops. But the digging method, I think, is more reliable. I will ask in advance: if the article was useful, put a "Thumbs up" in the answer! Thank you.

There is no need to wait until the greens turn yellow or dry out completely. In this case, there is a great risk of digging up overripe roots: cracked, tough and papery in taste.

When the carrots are ripe, the lowest leaves curl up, dry up and turn into dust. Of course, on a super-dry garden bed this can happen due to a lack of moisture, but under standard conditions, a change in the appearance of carrots unambiguously hints to the summer resident: "It's time!"