How to plant carrots without thinning
The procedure for thinning vegetables in the beds is laborious and often ends with the pulling out of young seedlings and the loss of a potential crop. Nevertheless, this action is necessary, since thinned vegetables give good quality yields. There are several ways to plant carrots so that they do not thin out during the growing process.
How to plant carrots without thinning
Sowing with seeders
The most preferable option to sow carrots is to do it with a manual seeder. These mechanized devices help plant seeds by deepening them into open soil at a predetermined distance, thanks to:
- spines in the front, forming a furrow,
- dispensing seeds falling out of the holes,
- the presence of a smooth wheel at the back, which levels and compresses the ridge.
The seeding process using manual seeders is 5-10 times faster than other seeding methods.
Manual devices for sowing seeds provide quick penetration of the seed and at the same time evenly distribute it in even rows, without damaging the seeds, while respecting the distance necessary for the growth of vegetables without thinning.
Homemade seeders
Do-it-yourself manual seeder, for which a simple plastic bottle is suitable, in the lid of which holes are cut in the size of the seeds.
Handy household tools help to facilitate sowing and prevent the need for subsequent thinning of plantings: salt shakers, tea strainers, colanders and toothpick containers. All of them have holes that can serve as a metering unit for seeding.
The disadvantage of homemade and improvised means is the need to control the number of seeds falling out of the holes.
Sowing after germination
Seeds can be either dry or germinated
An alternative to the mass uncontrolled planting of seeds in soil is the point planting of pre-germinated seed material. For this:
- seeds are soaked in warm water for several hours,
- laid out on a damp cloth, then closed on top,
- maintain moisture by constantly spraying the top layer of the napkin so that it does not dry out.
Densely planted carrots prevent vegetables from fully growing and developing.
When the first shoots appear in the seeds, they are hardened by keeping them in the refrigerator for 10-12 days. After hardening, the germinated seed is planted on the beds at the distance recommended for growing carrots, which makes it possible not to resort to subsequent thinning of the row.
Sowing with a ribbon
Planting carrots using a special sowing tape is an easy way to sow seeds so that later the rows of seedlings do not have to be thinned out. The tape is cut into strips the size of the bed.
Instead of garden sowing tape, toilet paper is sometimes used, on which the seeds are spread on a paste made of starch with water (1 teaspoon of starch per 200 g of water).
Seed material is spread pointwise with an interval between the seeds of more than 2 cm from each other.Furrows are formed on the ridge to a depth of 25-30 cm, ribbons with sowing are laid on them, sprinkled with a layer of earth and watered. The first shoots appear after 7-10 days.
Sowing in a bag
Carrots are planted without its subsequent thinning in canvas or linen bags, where seeds are put in the spring and, having dug a small hole, left for germination. After 15 days, the shoots sprout.
The distance between the seedlings, on which the carrot seeds are sown, affects the size of the vegetables: the larger it is, the larger and smoother the roots.
The sprouted material is taken out and mixed with sand, then scattering the mixture along the prepared furrows. The ridges are covered with foil. After a week, the first shoots appear under the film, which are planted in the ground in a permanent place.
Planting with granules
The method of sowing carrots without further thinning with granules does not require any special devices. Granular seeds sold in ready-made form, each seed is covered with a hard shell during processing. It contains dry hydrogel and fertilizing complexes so that the carrots grow quickly.
Controlling the sowing process with granules allows their bright color.
It is required to plant the granules in open soil, 1-2 pcs. Carrots are sown, so as not to thin out, every 8-10 cm in grooves 20-25 cm deep, then they are covered with soil from above and watered with water.
Conclusion
Planting a vegetable crop without thinning the seedlings saves time and provides the seed material with conditions for full growth.