The quality and quantity of the crop depends not only on the fertility of the soil, but also on how much you observe the crop rotation when growing vegetables. Indeed, with the correct alternation of crops, the soil is saturated with all the necessary elements. I will talk about the importance of crop rotation and what can be planted after carrots, as well as its best predecessors.
The importance of crop rotation
If the crop rotation is not observed, the yield will decline from year to year. It is necessary to alternate crops on the site for the following reasons:
- If a plant grows in the same area for several years, pathogenic microorganisms and pests accumulate in the soil. Because of this, the plants require additional processing.
- The same vegetables take the same nutrients from the soil. This leads to depletion of the soil. The problem can be solved by introducing organic matter and minerals, but this requires additional costs.
- Without the alternation of crops, viburnum (toxic substances), secreted by the root systems of plants, gradually accumulate in the soil. With the constant cultivation of one crop, the concentration of harmful substances will increase. Plants will be depressed.
Cultivation of various crops according to the rules of crop rotation not only prevents soil depletion, but also reduces the number of weeds.
Compliance with crop rotation in greenhouses and in the open field
In greenhouses, it is very difficult to adhere to the rules of crop rotation due to the limited space. Carrots in such conditions tolerate well the neighborhood with onions, garlic and tomatoes.
Carrots are often cultivated in unprotected soil. This culture is highly susceptible to toxins, which it itself releases during growth. It is advisable to grow it again in one place no earlier than after 4-5 years.
To restore the soil, it is necessary to use green manure. After carrots, the planting scheme for vegetable crops looks like this:
- first year - planting of green manure;
- second year - cabbage;
- third year - siderates again;
- fourth year - onions.
From siderates, you can grow legumes, rapeseed, alfalfa, mustard, radish, oats, buckwheat. During growth, they restore the structure of the soil and saturate it with phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
What crops can be planted after carrots
This vegetable has a deep tap root system. A root crop needs a large number of nutrients for development, so the soil is severely depleted. Given such features, in the next season it is advisable to plant plants with aboveground fruits, in which the roots lie at a shallow depth.
After an orange root crop grow well:
- Solanaceous crops. These are potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, physalis, different varieties of peppers.
- Cruciferous: lettuce, radish, cabbage.
- Perennial berries: strawberries, strawberries, etc.
- Dessert vegetables: cordon, artichoke.
- Peas, beans.
Can't be planted after carrots
The worst possible option is to plant carrots after carrots. During growth, it takes potassium and phosphorus from the soil, therefore, next year, root crops in the same place will develop very slowly. In addition, carrots will lose their taste and color, and will be small and branched.
Also, you can not plant dill, parsley, celery, cumin, cilantro. In these crops, pests and diseases are the same as in carrots. Beets and horseradish should not be planted either, as they require the same nutrients as carrots. They will simply have nothing to eat.
You should also abandon the planting of melons and pumpkin crops. These include squash, pumpkin, cucumber, squash, watermelon and melon. The listed crops are very demanding on soil fertility, and after carrots, it will be severely depleted.
Good neighbors
It is necessary not only to plan a landing site, but also to choose the right neighbors. The fact is that plants are capable of beneficially influencing neighbors or, conversely, oppressing them.
Onions are a great neighbor for carrots. The main pests of these crops are onion and carrot flies. The carrot fly cannot stand the smell of onions, and the onion fly cannot stand the smell of carrot tops. By alternating rows of these vegetables in the garden, you can achieve the maximum yield of both crops. Instead of onions, some gardeners plant garlic.
You can also grow next to carrots:
- tomatoes, cabbage, radish, spinach;
- beets;
- peas, beans;
- lettuce and other greens;
- radish.
Carrots do not coexist well with weeds, so it is necessary to weed the beds regularly.
A few tips from experienced gardeners
Experience in gardening comes over the years and also through trial and error. Based on this, I want to give you some tips:
- On the site after carrots, strawberries and strawberries grow remarkably.
- To saturate the soil with nitrogen, it is worth planting beans.
- To protect against parasites, marigolds or calendula should be planted around the perimeter of the site.
- Lettuce as a precursor should be excluded due to the same crop diseases.
- Leeks will be a great neighbor.
- After the bell pepper, you do not need to sow carrots, as the taste of the root vegetables may change.
- Carrot beds should not be placed near apple trees, as the taste of the fruits of both plants can be severely impaired.
- Carrots do not develop well in soil saturated with manure. In such a bed, it is better to plant cucumbers, cabbage or potatoes, and the next year you can plant carrots.
Crop rotation rules are quite simple even for a novice farmer. Taking into account them, as well as the above recommendations, you can achieve an excellent harvest of carrots.
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