Beets and carrots contain a large number of useful elements that are necessary for the human body. But it is not always possible to grow tasty and juicy root crops, even using proven methods and high-quality fertilizers. In order for beets and carrots to be a sweet root vegetable, they need to increase their levels of healthy sugars. This can be done with several agronomic techniques.
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How to grow sweet beets and carrots
The sweet taste of these root crops is given by the sugars that accumulate in them with proper soil preparation, timely watering and fertilization. Violation of the growing regime leads to a significant drop in the level of sucrose and other nutrients, turning beets and carrots into "empty roots". Using several proven farming practices, you can improve the palatability of these garden crops.
Avoiding organic fertilizers
Beets and carrots do not like organic fertilizers, so they are not recommended to be applied at any stage of feeding. Manure, which saturates plants with high amounts of nitrogen, gives them a bitter iodized taste. Vegetables grow dry and misshapen, carrots have an unnatural reddish color, and beets are dark red with white stripes.
Choosing the right landing site
These crops should be planted in well-lit open areas. It is recommended to sow beets and carrots on the same place no more than 1 time in 3-4 years.
Control over soil acidity
An acidic environment negatively affects the growth and development of beets and carrots, so it is necessary to choose areas with a neutral soil. Even on slightly acidic soil, the sugar content of these crops will decrease significantly. To neutralize the acid in the fall, lime must be added to the soil at the rate of 300-500 g per 1 m2. Liming of the site is carried out no more than 1 time in 6-8 years. Lime is scattered throughout the garden where vegetables will grow, and then, using a rake, mix it well with the soil.
Selection of predecessors
If early varieties of peas, cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes or onions grew on the site, after them, you can prepare the soil for planting beet and carrot seeds. To do this, you need to apply the appropriate mineral fertilizers and dig up the soil.
Choice of feeding
During the period of development of root crops (from July to August), the plants must be fed with nitroammophos. To do this, dilute 30-40 g of fertilizer in 10 liters of water and pour the resulting composition between the rows at the rate of 2-3 liters of liquid per 1 m2. Pour on top with settled water.
In August, it is necessary to introduce microfertilizers with boron and manganese into the soil, which will significantly increase the content of sugars and nutrients in root crops. To do this, dilute 20 g of boron and manganese in 10 liters of water, mix well and pour the composition between the rows at the rate of 2 liters of liquid per 1 m2. Pour on top with settled water.
Ash also contains these chemical elements, so it can be used to feed plants. It is necessary to scatter 100 g of ash per 1 m2, dig it up with soil and pour water on top.
During the entire vegetative period, the beets must be fed 3 times with table salt. To do this, prepare a solution of 15 g of salt and 10 liters of water and pour it between the rows at the rate of 5 liters per 1 m2. The root vegetable will grow juicy and sweet.
At the end of summer, the carrots must be fed with a boric acid solution. Take 1 liter of boiling water, dilute 1 tsp in it. l. preparation and add 10 liters of cold water. Spray all carrot plantings.
Pest control
The carrot fly not only destroys plants, but also causes the bitterness of the root crop. You can fight this insect with the help of a tobacco mixture, which is introduced between the rows of the crop. If you plant onions next to carrots, it will quickly scare away this pest. Effective against insects and mulch, which prevents them from laying eggs on the soil. To do this, you can use dry sawdust, straw, pine or spruce needles. Also, tobacco dust is used in the fight against beet flea and downy mildew. Proper care and protection from external influences will help you grow juicy root vegetables loaded with healthy sugars.
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