Why does the carrot crack in the ground?

Carrot is one of the most delicious and useful root crops of the central strip of Russia. In the care it is unpretentious, and therefore even an inexperienced gardener can grow it. However, sometimes it turns out that the roots of carrots crack, while still in the soil, and also twist and grow ugly. To prevent this from happening, you should follow some rules of growing this plant. About why carrots crack in the ground, how to deal with this trouble, let's talk below in the article.

Why it is important to prevent cracking of carrots

Before we start to find out why the carrot crack, let's see why it really is not desirable, because the root crop with such a defect of its taste and health benefits does not lose its qualities. First, such carrots have a not too attractive appearance. Secondly, they are harder to clean. Yes, and stored cracked roots are much worse than whole. Before you begin to deal with this problem, you need to find out the possible reasons for its appearance. They are usually only four.

The first reason. Incorrect watering

The most likely answer to the question of why carrots crack is wrong watering. Many summer residents go to their suburban areas only on weekends. For a week, the soil on the carrot bed dries much. Therefore, water it at the first opportunity is very abundant. As a result, the walls of the root cells do not stand the sharp pressure of the juice from the inside and just burst. Gradually, the tissues also diverge.

In the event that the cause of cracking carrots is improper irrigation, it is not so difficult to fix the situation. Arriving at the weekend at the cottage, do not fill the bed too much. Pour a little on Saturday, a little on Sunday. Thus, destruction of the tissue will be prevented. In the event that the plot is raw, it is necessary to alternate rows of carrots with some moisture-loving crops. Excellent for maintaining the balance of moisture in the soil suitable, for example, cabbage or salad.

Among other things, do not water the carrot in the heat. This can also lead to cracking. It is best to moisten the beds early in the morning or late in the evening. After the root crops have reached their normal size, watering should be stopped altogether.

The second reason. Overfund of fertilizers

Sometimes it happens that the beds are watered on time and not too abundant, but still the carrots crack. What to do in this case? Another reason for the cracking can be an overabundance in the land of nitrogen fertilizers. The fact is that in too fatty soil, the root cells grow very fast and reach enormous sizes. As a result, the fabric becomes loose and simply does not withstand soil pressure - carrots crack in the ground. In this case, to eliminate the causes of such trouble is also not difficult. Do not feed carrots too often. Nitrogen fertilizers should be introduced into the soil only in the very first stage of plant growth. As soon as the roots begin to develop in the soil, top dressing should be stopped immediately. In the summer, only phosphorus and potassium fertilizers contribute to carrots. Organic, like nitrogen fertilizing, can not be used.

The third reason. Solid ground

Why does the carrot crack even in the case of regular periodic watering and moderate feeding? This trouble can also occur due to the fact that the plot is too dense clay soil. In this case, too, the strong pressure is to blame. In the process of growth, the root crop, trying to fight through dense heavy soil, begins to crack. Correct the situation by adding sand to the bed. In this case, it is better not to use a quarry, but a river one. In addition, in the event that you have heavy soil in the garden, it is worth planting varieties of carrots with a thick and short root. This can be, for example, Shantane.

Sometimes it happens that the sand in the soil is added, and a suitable grade is used, but the carrots crack in the ground anyway. In this case, there is only one way out - to make beds with outside soil. To do this, dig holes in the ground in depth of about 20-40 cm and fill them with loose, light enough, nutritious soil.

The fourth reason. Carrot infiltration

On the question of why the carrot is cracking, there is one more answer. Some of its varieties can burst if they are not dug out of the ground in time. Therefore, harvest carrots should be on time. If, for any reason, there is a risk of overexposing root crops in the soil, it is worth using the grades (late ones) that are resistant to cracking during ripening.

Why carrots are curled?

We think, why carrots are cracking, now you are more or less clear. Another trouble that can happen to this plant is the curling of the foliage. In this case, the foliage looks "curly," and root crops begin to develop worse. Kurchatovtsya carrot can start for two reasons. The first is damage to the leaves with an umbrella leaf block. It hibernates this pest on coniferous trees. Therefore, in those areas where pine or spruce grows, it is necessary to plant carrots either very early (immediately after the snow comes down) or very late (after the cherry blossoms).

The second reason why carrot foliage can become rotten is the lack of potassium fertilizers. There is a curling of leaves in this case usually in June. At the same time they acquire a bluish tinge. To correct the situation in this case is very simple. It is necessary to sprinkle the tops with a diluted extract of ash.

Why the root of carrots can grow ugly

So, we have found out why carrots are cracking in the ground and why foliage can get into it. Now let's see why the root is sometimes deformed. The ugly carrots most often grow due to the fact that the landing was not cut in time. To remove superfluous plants it is necessary at once after occurrence of the first present leaflet. Also need to regularly loosen the soil on the carrot. This will reduce both the risk of occurrence of "freaks" and cracking of root crops.

Sometimes a lot of branched carrots grow on the bed. This root defect arises in the event that when growing, it stumbles upon a stone. Therefore, you need to prepare the beds as carefully as possible. The soil is dug to a depth of about 40 cm and all stones are removed without exception. Do it better in the autumn, so that the soil before planting had time to settle well. Loose soil - a pledge that the roots will not grow "freaks", and also that for the owner of the garden the question of why carrots are cracking on the garden will not be topical. In general, in order to avoid branching and other defects, it is necessary to protect the roots from any damage. Throw the carrot gently and pull the weeds as carefully as possible.

Carrots "urodtsy" can appear and because of damage to root crops by a wireworm. It is possible to fight this pest by digging plastic cups with chopped carrot slices. Beetles-parents of a wireworm can climb there, but they can not get out.

Often carrots with a large number of tails grow and with excess in the soil of lime, ash or dolomite. This same trouble can also occur after the introduction of potassium chloride into the soil. When growing carrots, one should take into account the fact that this root crop does not tolerate not only chlorine, but also large doses of calcium.

Preparing a bed for carrots, you should also thoroughly mix the soil. In the event that it will be located in layers of different densities, so-called "constrictions" appear on root crops.

"Shaggy" and a curve carrot

To "lohmatosti" can bring the introduction of carrots for manure or humus. Sometimes a similar defect arises as a result of excessive watering. Too much nitrogen fertilizer can also lead to "shaggy". It happens that the root crop grows crooked. When considering the question of why carrots are cracking in the ground, we found out that this can be due to too dense soil. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that heavy soil can also cause the curvature of root crops. Correct the situation by introducing river sand.

So if carrots crack, the reasons are most likely in irregular watering, heavy soil and an overabundance of nitrogen fertilizers. Moisten the soil under this plant on time, do not feed it with manure, weed carefully, and you will get even, tidy roots, which you can keep till the new harvest.