Carrots are very versatile vegetables out of the lot. They can be used in gravies, stews, roasts, salads, and soups and also make great snacking options. Children especially love carrots. And, how can we forget the sweetness of the famous gajar ka halwa? It is a favourite of most people and no occasion goes by without having this sweet dish as one of the dessert options. Lastly, we all surely do know how important carrots are for our vision. It has been ingrained in our minds ever since we were kids.
The slight sweetness of the vegetable is very refreshing, especially if it's homegrown. Ever thought of growing carrots from seeds in your home? If not, then this is the perfect time to give it a try. It is very easy to start your own kitchen garden at home. Although the carrot plant does take a little bit of an effort to grow, it is all worth it in the end. Grow carrot in your home garden so you can gush over your gajar plant to your friends and family. Buy carrots seeds online at our store and plant your own crunchy and juicy carrots soon.
Here’s a little guide on the health benefits, the varieties and how to grow carrots all boiled down into one blog for you.
Health Benefits Of Carrots
We all know how carrots are good for our health. It’s very true. The Beta-carotene compound that is present, an active compound of Vitamin A, is responsible for this. They also work to alleviate other eye-related diseases that we may potentially encounter. The carrot plant is also very good in promoting weight loss. This is because it has a lot of water content, dietary fiber and a low amount of calories. Other minerals like Vitamin C present in the gajar plant have protective properties such as keeping cholesterol levels under control. The high content of dietary fibers also keeps our gut healthy. Carrots also help in fighting against certain types of cancers. All in all, one can certainly say that this vegetable is extremely healthy.
Varieties Of Carrot Plant
1) Carrot Seeds Lalima:
This tropical variety has the flesh of uniform red colour with sweet and juicy roots. It matures early with an average weight of 100 to 150 gm and a length of around 30 to 35 cm.
2) Carrot Seeds Early Nantes:
With a recognizable shape, that of cylindrical with blunted ends, this variety has red coloured roots. Its inner core is soft and can be of a length between 7 to 9 inches.
3) Carrot Seeds F-1 Hybrid Nintendo:
This variety has a deep orange colour with cylindrical roots. It can have a length of 9 or 10 inches with dark green foliage that is 16 to 18 inches tall. It has very smooth skin.
4) Carrot Seeds Shin Kuroda:
This variety has slightly tapered roots. It has a deep orange colour and grows well in subtropical areas. Its average length can range between 16 to 18 cm and can be harvested within 80 to 90 days.
Buy these carrots varieties at Urja Seed and start planting carrot seeds at your convenience.
How To Grow Carrots
To grow carrots from seeds might sound a little daunting but it is not. Here’s a simple guide that you can follow for your carrot cultivation.
1] Preparing The Soil
Carrot plants usually prefer sandy or loamy soil that has well-drainage. Add in a good amount of phosphorus to the soil because they do help the plant fair well. Loose soils are the best so that the roots can reach a little further down. Avoid growing them in heavy soils if you don’t want your plant to grow slowly. Make sure you provide the best soil to seeds so they get enough nutrients to grow and give you the best yield.
2] Sowing The Seeds
Carrots like the soil to be a little warmer which is when you can start planting carrot seeds. Now, till your soil is at least 10 to 12 inches deep and fill halfway with compost. The other half can be filled with loose topsoil. Sow your seeds at a quarter-inch of depth with each plant being at least 3 to 4 inches apart. Water the plant enough to keep the soil moist. Carrot seedlings should start to germinate in a few days.
3] Taking Care Of The Carrot Plant
Once the seeds start to germinate in about 6 to 10 days, you need to water the plant an inch every week. This is to ensure the soil remains moist enough. Once the true leaves of the plant start to appear, you can start with the thinning process. Carrots need direct sunlight i.e., at least 6 to 8 hours every day. You can add in fertilizer after 5 to 6 weeks from when you sow the seeds.
4] Harvesting The Carrot Plant
The timeframe for a carrot plant growing enough for you to start harvesting carrots can be around 50 to 60 days. It might be a little scary because you never nearly know if they have grown well until you harvest them. One trick is to harvest carrots when they are smaller if you want great taste. You can harvest them by grasping their foliage and pulling them out. You can also try to loosen up the soil a little with the help of a fork before harvesting.
There might be quite some effort required but in the end, you will have some sweet, crunchy and juicy carrots to add to your plates. Get the best carrot seeds online at Urja Seeds so you can plan out your next gardening session soon.
About Urja Seeds
For premium quality seeds online and prime services, Urja Seeds is your go-to shop for all things gardening. From vegetable seeds like carrots seeds online, flower seeds and micro greens seeds to exotic & herb seeds you will find it all. Find different varieties of your favourite fruits seeds, vegetables seeds and flower seeds and get them delivered to you in just a few days. Hassle-free delivery services and authentic products are ready for you to avail, so what are you waiting for?
FAQs
Q1] Can carrot seeds be sown directly?
A1] Carrot seeds can be sown directly into the soil.
Q2] What plants should be avoided while planting carrots?
A2] Some plants that you should avoid planting next to carrots are beans, onions, lettuce, tomatoes and radish.
Q3] Can carrots grow in shade?
A3] Generally, carrots need full sun to grow but they can endure partial shade too.
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