grow carrots at homeImage Credit source: Unplash
How to grow carrot at home: Carrot is a nutritional vegetable eaten in winter. Many types of nutrients are found in it, which include vitamin A, fiber, potassium, vitamin K and antioxidants. It also benefits the body in many ways. Like eating carrots improves eyesight. Heart health remains better and the body gets many benefits. Being an antioxidant, it is also very beneficial for the skin. However, the carrots available in the market may be adulterated with chemicals. In such a situation, some people want to get fresh, chemical free and completely organic carrots. For this you can grow it at home itself. Yes, carrots can be easily grown in the balcony, terrace or garden of the house.
It will be completely organic and you can enjoy fresh carrots. If you also want to grow carrots at home, then this article is only for you. Here we are going to tell you the step by step method of harvesting right soil, fertilizer, water, which can be very useful in carrot cultivation. By harvesting these carrots, prepare any dish of your choice and enjoy.
Also read: Have you ever eaten spinach pickle, a winter vegetable? Here is the easy recipe
Right time to grow carrots at home
Well, carrot is such a crop which you can grow throughout the year. But the months of August to October are considered best for growing desi carrots and October to November for European varieties. Carrots grow rapidly in this season and do not require much care. Let us know how to grow carrots at home.
How to grow carrots from seeds?
To grow carrots, you can use seeds, which are easily available from your nursery. For this, sow the seeds at a depth of 1 cm in the prepared soil. It takes about 2-3 weeks to germinate. To sow seeds, take a container at least 30 to 40 cm deep. Keep the distance between rows in the container 1012 cm and between the rows 2025 cm. Water lightly so that the soil settles, but does not become muddy. When the plant develops 3-4 leaves, take out the plant and plant it at a distance of 3-5 cm.
Prepare soil like this
It is also important for the soil to be right to grow carrots. For this, take light, loose and well drained soil. Because if the soil is heavy then carrots will not be able to grow straight. For this, take 40% garden soil or cow dunghill, 40% compost/rich manure, 20% sand or vermiculite and mix them.
Correct method of sunlight, water and fertilizer
For good growth of carrot, it also needs proper sunlight, water and fertilizer. For this, do not give too much water to the plant. Water only when the soil starts drying. In cold weather, watering 2-3 times a week is enough. Carrot fruits require 5-6 hours of sunlight a day. In such a situation, keep it in a place where it can get sufficient sunlight. For fertilizer, initially mix good compost. After 30-40 days, give light potash rich fertilizer if needed.
Right time and method to harvest
Let us tell you which small varieties ripen in 6070 days. At the same time, in tall varieties it may take 80-100 days or more. To cut it, loosen the soil, pull the root slowly so as not to break it. Clean the taken out carrots slightly and keep them in a cool, dry place. Can also be stored in a plastic bag in the crisper of the refrigerator.
Keep these things in mind
To protect carrot plants from insects, you can lightly spray applied neem oil. Apart from this, clean the leaves yourself. If you see carrot fly/larvae on the plant, you can protect them by applying mesh or net on the leaves. Keep checking the plant from time to time.
Also read: This is the direct train from Delhi to Jim Corbett, all the information from timing to ticket.