Scientific name: Daucus carota
It is a herbaceous plant native to Europe and southwest Asia it belongs to the Umbelliferae family, it has short leaves, white flowers and a sharp and juicy root, it is one of the vegetables with the highest human consumption. Its flavor is very pleasant, we can consume it in salads, in juices, in cakes, raw, steamed, in soups, etc., it is very low in calories and contains 89.2% of water. There is a wide variety of carrots, where their shapes and colors vary.
It is a very healthy food that has many properties and benefits, among them we have:
- It is rich in fiber.
- It contains vitamins A, of group B (B1, B2, B3 y B9), C, E, K and minerals such as: potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine and calcium, it also contains natural antioxidants, carotenoids and folates necessary for the human body.
- Helps raise the hemoglobin in the blood and red blood cells.
- It is diuretic.
- Improve the view.
- Helps control cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Relieves constipation.
- Fight anemia.
- Ideal for pregnant women.
- Strengthens teeth and gums.
- Protects the stomach.
- Stimulates the appetite.
- Strengthens nails and hair.
- It helps you lose weight.
Carrot cultivation.
The crop can be done in spring, autumn and winter.
We choose the seed according to the variety. These seeds need a lot of moisture to germinate, so it is recommended to place them before sowing it between wet papers for two or three days.
They require of earth previously Fertilizes with compost, compound and another organic fertilizer.
The seeds can be sown directly to the soil, ditches should be made 1 cm deep, we place the seeds leaving 4 cm between them, then cover the trench with the removed soil. It is common that some seeds do not germinate so it is recommended to deposit several seeds in one place (4 to 5 seeds). Approximately between 15 - 20 days the seedlings will begin to sprout.
To make the sowing at home, the pot or container must be at least 45 cm deep, we add the fertilized land, then the seeds and cover with the earth (with a finite layer of earth).
This crop preferably requires cold and dry climates, however, it is advisable to sow the seeds in a place that receives a lot of sun.
The area should always be kept moist, but we should avoid excess water.
Between 3 and 4 months the carrots develop completely. For the harvest, pull the leaves without separating them from the root or with an excavation shovel if the soil is very hard.
The leaves should be cut so that the carrot maintains moisture, then it is rinsed, allowed to dry and stored in the refrigerator.
Plagues and diseases.
There are several pests that affect this crop, however the most common are:
Carrot fly (psylla rosae): Penetrate the root, causing decay. For the control of this pest, soil and seeds must be disinfected (teflutrin 0.5 is recommended).
White worm (Listerderes sp): attacks the crop in its development, causing damage to the root and crown. To control this stage, you can use neem extract and rue extract.
Wireworm (Agriotes obscurus): attacks the root until it is completely exhausted. Like the white worm, it attacks the crop in its development. To reduce this pest, a correct crop rotation must be carried out.
Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp, Heterodera carotae): They produce wounds in the roots through which other pathogens, such as fungi, enter. This pest can be combated by soil solarization, application of rue extract and biological control.
Rodents: It is the worst plague. They create tunnels and eat the carrot from below. The plants lose vigor and their leaves bend. To minimize this attack of rodents should avoid herbs near the crop. We can also introduce a hose through the tunnels and open the tap, in this way the rodents are expelled.
Cares and advices needed.
- Eliminate weeds to avoid pests and diseases.
- Ugly and yellow leaves should be removed.
- If the soil is very hard, loosen the soil a bit but be careful not to hurt the plants.
- Carrots should not be planted where there were plants of the family Apiaceae (dill, celery, cilantro, fennel, parsley, etc.) in this way pests and diseases are avoided.