The best varieties of winter carrots

Carrots rotting in the cellar are a problem that many gardeners face. There are many reasons for spoilage of the root crop, this is an infection in the cellar, dampness and high air temperature during storage... But in most cases, flabby carrots in winter are the wrong choice of variety.

The best varieties of carrots for winter storage

Carrot harvest

Every spring summer residents have the question of how, among the abundance of beautiful bags of seeds, to find the best carrots for storage for the winter... Many people choose by the photo on the package, but this is wrong. First, let's get acquainted with the most mature species. Then we will find out by what principle you need to choose a variety that preserves its taste and presentation well in winter.

Mid-season

The mid-ripening group includes fruits with a growing season of 100 - 120 days. According to experts, these roots are sweeter and more juicy.

Mid-season carrots accumulate maximum nutrients by the time of harvest.

Consider the well-known and popular among experienced gardeners:

1. Nantes-4.
2. Samson.
3. Chance.
4. Moscow.

Nantes-4

Carrot Nantes-4

An old variety that gardeners in Siberia, the Urals, the Moscow region, in general, all regions, without exception, have been growing since the middle of the last century. It takes 120 days to mature... Bunch ripeness occurs after 50 days from germination. Carrots planted in May are ready for harvest in September. If there is not enough time for cleaning, it can be left in the ground until October. Nantes-4 in such a situation does not lose its presentation and taste. Average weight parameters - 150 g. Average length, within 20 cm. Important characteristics: yield from 6 kg per sq.m. and the shelf life is February.

Samson

Mid-season carrots Samson

Large carrots, which are stored in a cellar until May next year. Experienced agronomists recommend Samson to novice gardeners. It can be grown in any soil, in any climate. With timely sowing in early May, Samson will delight you with even, orange root crops, almost without a core. The average length of the Samson root crop is 20 centimeters or more, weight up to 170 g... Ripens in 110 days from the appearance of the first shoots.

Chance

Carrot variety Chance

Stored until March.Root crops weighing up to 130 g have a good taste, are juicy, and have a classic conical shape. Subject to the sowing scheme recommended by the manufacturer (20 * 4 cm), the yield from 1 sq. m - 5 kg... Chance carrots love the sun, loose soil with a high percentage of humus (sandy loam, light loamy.).

Late, suitable for storage

Vegetable varieties with a growing season of more than 120 days are classified as late... Ripe carrots can be stored until the next harvest. This group of plants suffers less from diseases, carrot flies, rarely shoots.

Autumn queen

Late variety of carrots Queen of autumn

A wonderful variety from Altai breeders, deservedly named the queen. Root crops grown on fertilized, loose soil usually exceed the manufacturer's stated characteristics: weight 230, length 25, yield 9 kg / m².

Dolyanka

Carrot variety Dolyanka

An interesting Polish representative, can be stored until spring. If the soil is infested with carrot fly larvae, then this strain will be a good choice for the next season. Resistant to fusarium and carrot fly... Forms fruits long, weighing from 130 g.

Flaccoro

Carrot Flaccoro variety

Deserves attention, productive (from 8 kg / m²), with large (200 g), long (28 cm) rootscontaining a high percentage of carotene.

Sweet carrot varieties

The best root vegetables for baby food are sweet. They are more beneficial due to the high percentage of carotene. Among the late varieties that are sweet and can be stored for a long time, one can distinguish:

• Karotan;
• Darling;
• Emperor.

Karotan

Sweet carrots Karotan

World renowned carrots are rich in carotene. It is recommended to be used as a raw material for processing. Carotan can be stored for a long time, its characteristics are: deep orange color, cross-sectional diameter from 5 cm, length of roots not less than 25 cm.

Darling

Carrot variety Favorite

Sweet, perfect cylindrical shape. Ripe roots have an average length (15 cm) and weight (160 g), and are well stored. When sown in autumn, Favorite gives an early harvest in years rich in precipitation, does not crack.

Early

Already in June, you can feast on fresh fruits if you plant an early variety in early spring with a growing season of 80 to 90 days. You can choose a fruitful variety that will feed the family in the summer and will be well stored in the cellar..

Touchon

Early carrots Tushon

These are cylindrical, thin root crops, average length 15 cm, weight - 100 g. Productivity - 5 kg / m²... For winter consumption, can be sown in mid-June. To obtain early root crops, autumn sowing (October, November) is recommended.

Artek

Carrot grade Artek

Early variety, easy to care for. Artek can be stored well in a cellar. Burgundy-orange root vegetables with an average weight of 150 g and a length of 15 cm do not rot, juicy, tasty... For summer consumption, the fruits are ready in 1.5 months.

Fun F1

Carrot variety Zabava F1

An early hybrid, ideal for summer beam production. Can be grown for winter consumption. Root vegetables are bright orange, not large from 50 gare of medium length.

Large

Large carrots are good for making healthy juice and Korean dishes. Here are the varieties to look out for next season:

• Canada F1;
• Nandrin F1;
• Russian size.

Canada F1

Large-fruited carrots Canada F1

Unpretentious medium-late hybrid, gives good yields on heavy soil. Fruit weight from 130 to 500 g, length 20 cm, section up to 5 cm... The plant is characterized by sweet, juicy orange pulp.

Russian size

Carrot grade Russian size

A variety that yields root crops weighing up to 1 kg on light, fertile soils. Norm for carrots - large diameter (6 cm)... The length is also not small - from 25 to 30 cm.

Nandrin F1

Carrot grade Nandrin F1

A popular hybrid from Dutch breeders among farmers. Short growing season up to 100 days. Carrots with a small core, cylindrical shape, do not crack. The average weight of Nandrin F1 is 150 g. Root crops grow up to 20 cm long.

How to choose carrots for storage

For those new to the gardening business, choosing carrots suitable for long-term storage is a challenge. In a huge selection, it is easy to get lost and take the first packet with a beautiful picture. This is not worth doing. Here is a list of characteristics that will help you choose the right variety for storage:

• growing season from 115 days and more;
• does not crack;
• not susceptible to disease;
• suitable for growing in any climate, on any soil;
• does not arrow.

Conclusion

Long-term storage is not only the right carrot variety. This is the optimal planting time, proper care and the choice of the optimal way of storing root crops.

Carrots are more difficult to save in winter than other root vegetables. Preparation for storage begins even before sowing - with the selection of seeds. In this article, we will look at the best varieties of carrots for winter storage.

How to grow carrots in the country in infographics

You can see the basic principles of growing carrots in the country in our infographic.

Click to enlarge

Principles for the selection of varieties for winter storage

The ability of vegetables to maintain marketable qualities for a long time, without being exposed to various diseases and without losing weight, is characterized by the specific term "keeping quality".

When choosing a variety suitable for storage, they are guided by the ripening rate and the expected date of harvest.... The dependence of keeping quality on the duration of the growing season is shown in the table:

Varieties	Ripening rate	Fruit size	Duration of vegetation	Keeping quality
Parisian carotel 443	Early	Short	60–90	Not subject to storage
NIIOH-336, Chantane, Nantes	Mid-season	Middle length	90–115	Up to 4 months
Berlicum, Nuance, Forto	Late ripening	Large, long	110–130	6-7 months

Shorter roots with a shorter ripening period (Parisian carotel) spoil in the first place. Late-ripening carrots with long, conical fruits (Valeria, Forto, Vita Longa, Moscow Winter) are stored better than other varieties; weather anomalies may introduce corrections to this pattern. For example, with a prolonged spring and early autumn, the growing season of carrots is reduced. For a short summer, late-ripening varieties do not have time to accumulate in a sufficient amount of sugar and fiber, as a result of which the keeping quality of root crops decreases. Early varieties are stored better under similar conditions.

It should be understood that choosing a maturing variety is not a guarantee of crop protection. The safety of root crops depends on a combination of factors, each of which is of decisive importance: the timely implementation of all agrotechnical measures, taking into account the climatic characteristics of the area, and pest control, and the preparation of storage sites. Failure to comply with even one condition can nullify all efforts.

Late-ripening varieties for storage

The queen of autumn is characterized by disease resistance, therefore it is stored for a long time

Late varieties are considered to ripen 120-140 days after germination. This carrot is characterized by increased cold resistance, less vulnerability to disease, and therefore remains safe until next summer. The taste does not suffer during storage, and the beneficial properties are not lost.

• The Queen of Autumn. Perhaps the most stable variety created by Russian breeders. Each carrot weighs almost 200 g and grows to an impressive size. The length of the roots is 25–30 cm. It takes about 120 days from the first shoots to technical ripeness. The variety is suitable for fresh consumption and conservation. The carrots are juicy, crispy and tasty. Lies until June. Storage does not affect the marketability.

• Flaccoro. Dutch variety. Marketable maturity occurs 110–130 days after sowing.The carrot is bright orange, even, elongated, with tender pulp. The variety is fruitful - roots grow up to 30 cm. The main advantage over other varieties is excellent keeping quality. Consumer properties are not lost until next summer.
• Vita Longa. A new relatively productive variety. The growing season is long - almost 140 days. Recommended for winter storage, as it has excellent keeping quality. It is also used fresh. The mass of root crops is from 200 to 300 g, the length is up to 30 cm.
• Karlena. The yield is high. Ripens 130 days after planting. Due to the high content of sugars in root crops, it is not recommended for patients with diabetes mellitus. It is unpretentious, does not require special care during cultivation. If the required microclimate is observed, it will stay until spring.

Keeping quality of mid-season varieties

Among the mid-season varieties, you can also choose several suitable for laying in the winter. Some of them are not inferior in keeping quality to late ones:

• Samson. One of the most unpretentious cultivation varieties. The growing season is 110 to 115 days. Has improved taste. The length of the root crop is up to 20 cm with an average weight of 160-200 g. The core is absent. But the pulp accumulates a lot of carotene, vitamins and microelements. Grows in areas of any fertility. Suitable for cultivation in regions with any climate, resistant to spring return cold. It can be stored until the next harvest, like many late-ripening varieties.
• Vitamin. The variety was developed specially for long-term storage. It ripens 110 days after planting. The fruit grows up to 17 cm. It responds to care and sufficient watering with juiciness and excellent taste.
• Shantane. A mid-season high-yielding variety of carrots. The growing season is from 90 to 110 days. Root crops of excellent taste, the length of each is 15–17 cm, weight up to 250 g. It tolerates transportation perfectly, does not crack on the garden bed and during long-term storage.

• NIIOH-336. Delicious carrots. The root vegetable is red-orange, with a high content of carotene. By the time of ripening, it reaches a mass of 100-130g, grows up to 18 cm in length. It is cultivated everywhere, including in areas of risky farming. The period from planting to harvesting is about 100 days. Differs in a high keeping rate.

Early ripening varieties

Shantane is not afraid of heat, does not succumb to disease, is resistant to shooting

It is believed that early carrots are not suitable for storage. But if desired, some of the early-maturing varieties lie until mid-winter.However, the landing dates will have to be adjusted. See the seed packets for information on the growing season. Considering that the harvesting of carrots is expected to occur at the beginning of October or the end of September, the preferred planting time is calculated. So, if the growing season of a particular variety is 90 days, it should be sown no earlier than the end of June. In three months, the carrots will have time to ripen and will be suitable for storage. Subject to the recommended temperature regime and fixed humidity, carrots of early and mid-early ripening are preserved without compromising marketability for up to 4 months.

Council number 1. For summer planting of carrots, increased watering is necessary, otherwise the seeds will not germinate for a long time, and the seedlings will dry out.

The following early maturing varieties are recommended for storage:

• Alenka. Reaches ripeness 80–85 days after germination. The carrots are tasty, juicy, smooth, in the shape of a blunt-pointed cylinder. The culture requires good soil preparation and needs constant watering. With proper care, root crops grow up to 15 cm, weigh up to 100 g.

• Bangor. High-yielding hybrid suitable for winter storage. It lies for a long time, almost until the onset of spring. The root crop is large, cylindrical, contains a lot of sugars and carotene.
• Lagoon. A hybrid of Dutch selection. The start of harvesting early production is possible 2 months after germination.But for the purpose of storage, they are removed no earlier than 85 days. Main advantages: pleasant taste, productivity, uniformity and presentation of root crops.

The mid-early variety Alenka, when properly stored, lies almost until spring

Varieties and hybrids invulnerable to storage diseases

Bacterial, viral and fungal diseases cause great damage to the gardener during the storage of crops. Black, white, dry, gray, bacterial rot are common almost everywhere. An effective method of prevention is the choice of varieties that are resistant to diseases. The names of such varieties are shown in the table:

Diseases	Varieties	F1 hybrids	Degree of stability
Black rot	Nantes 4, Supernant, Chantane, Vita Longa, Cannery, NIIOH 336	Gribovchanin, Kantenbury, Champion	Increased
Dry, brown rot (phomosis)	Nantes 4, Moscow winter	Abaco, Bilbo	Relative
White rot	Peerless, Grenada, Vitamin	No stable hybrids	Relative
Gray rot	No resistant varieties	No stable hybrids

Council number 2. The safety of carrots depends on the observance of the terms of harvesting. Ripe roots are less affected by diseases. The optimal period for harvesting carrots in the Non-Black Earth Region is from the end of September to the first ten days of October.

Gardeners' mistakes when storing carrots

Selected carrots are better stored

Consider the common mistakes gardeners and truck farmers make.

1. Bulkhead of root crops laid for the winter when white and gray rot is detected. This is not worth doing. When trying to sort out the affected specimens, the infection spreads to the rest of the crop. It is necessary to very carefully remove diseased roots, and then pollinate this place with fluff lime in order to localize the focus of the disease.
2. Drying the harvested root crops in the sun or in a warm room.It is prohibited to heat the harvested crop. Carrots are dried in the shade. The storage is also cooled before laying vegetables. The microclimate in the cellar is created constant, without temperature fluctuations and without sudden changes in humidity. The optimum temperature regime is about 2 ° C. Humidity is maintained within 95%.
3. Bookmarking for storage of the entire crop without preliminary selection. One cannot rely on the fact that the variety is characterized by increased keeping quality. Errors in agricultural technology will affect the safety of the fruit, regardless of the selected variety. Only ripe and healthy specimens that are not damaged are stored for a long time.

Blitz answers to pressing questions of gardeners

Decayed carrots are removed to prevent further infestation.

Question # 1: Why did the variety declared as suitable for winter storage not live up to expectations?

When growing, you need to take into account the structure of the soil. The sensitivity of varieties to the index of soil fertility is not the same. For example, Shantane does not ripen on heavy loams. The damage during storage of such a crop is twice as high as that of carrots of the same variety grown on loose, light soil.

Question # 2: How long can carrots last?

The shelf life of even the most mature varieties depends on the chosen storage method:

• up to 1 year - in a "shirt" made of chalk or liquid clay;
• more than half a year - in boxes with sawdust, sand, onion husks;
• up to 5 months - in plastic containers (plastic bags or plastic bags);
• ≈2–3 months - on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Large and dense root vegetables will last longer than small specimens.

Question # 3: It is recommended to maintain a minimum interval between harvesting carrots and storing them. So, the later the carrots are removed, the longer they will be stored?

You need to harvest carrots, like other vegetables, on time. Frost-damaged root crops lose their resistance to disease. The best time to dig up root crops is dry, sunny weather, when the average temperature no longer rises above 10 ° C, but still does not fall below 0 ° C. When harvesting, the tops are immediately cut off.Vegetables are sorted, only undamaged and healthy specimens are selected for storage.

Question # 4: During winter storage, carrot loses moisture, coarsens, and the taste deteriorates. Can root crops retain their original properties until spring?

To keep the carrots juicy and crispy during storage, select special varieties. Boltex, Losinoostrovskaya, Red giant are characterized by pleasant taste and at the same time good keeping quality.

To determine which variety of carrots is the best, you need to deal with one point. It consists in answering the question: "Why will it be planted?" If in order to be used in summer salads, then it is better to choose early carrot seeds. Then the roots will grow quickly enough and will delight you with their juiciness and taste. In the case when you want to feast on the harvest until spring, then late yielding varieties of carrots are suitable. They differ in that good roots grow just at the time of harvesting and are stored for a long time in suitable conditions.

Carrot varieties for winter storage

In order for her to be able to lie for a long time, several conditions must be met:

• do not take a long break between harvesting and storing it;
• create a microclimate with a temperature of about 2 ºС and a humidity of 98%;
• choose healthy roots without damage.

The best carrot variety for long-term storage is the one that ripens late. Then the first condition can be easily achieved.

Among the late hybrids, there are those that can be characterized as the best varieties of carrots for storage:

Golden autumn, Queen of autumn, Monastic, Cascade, Narbonne, Flaccoro, Red giant, Chantane, Valeria, Moscow winter, Incomparable, Flakke. Each of them deserves to be in the garden of every summer resident.

To eat tasty carrots longer, storage varieties are as follows:

Vitamin, the same Autumn Queen and Cascade, Cardinal and Samson, Grossa, Moscow winter, Losinoostrovskaya.

Early ripe carrot varieties

These root crops yield a harvest within 1.5-2 months after germination. Therefore, already in the middle of summer, you can make salads from the fresh harvest. This is very good, because at this time there are still few other vegetables and fruits. In order to achieve this, choose the earliest variety of carrots from the following:

Nantes at number 4 or 14, Miniko or Touchon, Artek or Rex, Mother-in-law F1 or Fun F1, Lydia.

The first on this list are distinguished by a neat shape with a rounded tip. The size of the root crops is not large. They are the most popular varieties of carrots also because they have a long shelf life. Her harvest can lie until spring. And this is despite its early maturation.

Sweet varieties of carrots

If there are little sweet tooths in the family who like to crunch carrots, then it is better to choose sweeter varieties. To determine which varieties of carrots are best planted in this case, you can use the following list:

Minicor (its fruits are fragrant and juicy), already mentioned Vitamin and Losinoostrovkskaya, Children's Joy, Beauty Maiden, Favorite or Nastena. See also: ★ Best outdoor carrots.

The largest varieties of carrots

These root crops grow up to 20 cm in length and the weight of each of them can be about 200 g. All of them are suitable for long-term storage. So, the varieties of large carrots are as follows:

Canada F1 (differs in a small core), Nantes 4 (which has already appeared several times in other lists), Amsterdam (very valuable because it gives a stable harvest and is not prone to cracking of roots), Nandrin F1 - unpretentious to the composition of the soil, Lakomka.

Hybrids of these root crops, recommended for different regions of Russia

Purple carrot

Carrot seeds for the Moscow region do not require special treatment before sowing. It is enough to simply check them for germination.

When choosing the best variety of carrots for the Moscow region, there is no particular difficulty.Almost any of the varieties of this root crop is suitable here. It does not require any special skills from the gardener. In addition, it is unpretentious to growing conditions. She is not afraid of small frosts. For those who decided to plant carrots, the best varieties for the Moscow region will be as follows:

Nantes (early carrots), Vitaminnaya and Losinoostrovskaya varieties will delight you with sweetness, Moscow winter and Shantane 2461 will remain until spring, Volzhskaya, Rote Riesen, Guéranda and Cardinal.

The best varieties of carrots for Siberia practically no different from those recommended for other regions. The only exception that can be written in carrot seeds for Siberia is the Altai shortened hybrid.

Variety Nantskaya 4 is zoned in all regions of Russia, i.e. adapted for any climate

Special types of these root crops

The first thing worth mentioning is the coreless carrot varieties. In such hybrids, the nutritional value is increased, because it is she who tends to accumulate nitrates. And the most juicy and tasty part is around the core.

Next are the varieties of yellow carrots. It is not very nutritious and does not contain vitamins. However, it is very popular in some regions. The greatest benefit is found in those root vegetables that are uniformly colored from the core to the brim. Of particular interest are purple and other types of carrots.

To the delight of little family members, mini carrots were bred, the seeds of which belong to the following varieties: Granddaughter or Sophie. They can grow even in small containers. And they grow up in two months.

So, each gardener decides for himself which carrot is best to plant. Fortunately, there are a lot of varieties. In addition, the same hybrids have such properties that they will satisfy the tastes and needs of all gourmets. This useful root vegetable will diversify the diet and will present all the accumulated vitamins.

Recommendation and review of the variety "Nantes 4"

Nantes 4 is a variety of Russian selection for cultivation in the open field. It belongs to the group of varieties with an average ripening period. From germination to physiological ripeness, root crops require 80 to 100 days. Despite the yield, far from a record, the variety is in demand among gardeners. (see → How to increase the yield of carrots in the Moscow region and on average in Russia). It owes its popularity to its excellent commercial qualities and excellent taste. In addition, Nantes 4 is notable for the fact that during storage it is resistant to mold and various kinds of rot. Carrots remain juicy and firm throughout the winter. Nantes 4 is unpretentious to external weather conditions. Cultivated in all regions of Russia. Vegetables of this variety are used for processing, home canning, winter storage, but they are also good fresh.

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You should think about storing carrots at the stage of seed selection. Among the large selection, there are medium and late ripening varieties suitable for winter storage. They are less likely to suffer from diseases and do not lose their taste characteristics until spring.

Principles for the selection of varieties for winter storage

It is important to choose the right types of carrots for storage. Duration of storage depends on the timing of planting and ripening.

1. For storage in winter, choose mature varieties that can retain their appearance and weight, taste and useful properties for a long time. These are the characteristics of mid-ripening and late-ripening carrots.
2. Do not use seeds harvested from the garden for several years in a row. In carrots grown from these seeds, varietal qualities degenerate, disease resistance worsens during storage.
3. In climatic zones with short summers, choose mid-season varieties. Late-ripening roots do not have time to accumulate the required amount of fiber and sugar. Therefore, their keeping quality is significantly reduced.
4. For clayey, heavy soils, short, blunt-pointed varieties are suitable.On sandy loams and peat bogs with a neutral pH, it is possible to grow any medium to late ripening carrots.

Carrot varieties for winter storage

Late varieties

Ripen 4 months after seed germination. The vegetable reaches a size of 250 g, is not susceptible to fungi and is preserved without loss of taste.

Mid-season varieties

The time from germination to biological maturity is up to 115 days. They contain a large dose of vitamins and carotene.

Sweet carrot

It contains a large amount of mono- and disaccharides, as well as beta-carotene and B vitamins. The most beautiful and delicious orange-red specimens ripen in mid-season varieties. They are used for the production of juices and purees for children, for preservation and freezing.

Selection of carrot varieties for different regions of the country

In different climatic zones, the weather conditions differ throughout the year. Therefore, for each region, you need to correctly select the varieties of carrots for long-term storage.

For central Russia

Photo: Variety Queen of Autumn

With a temperate continental climate, any varieties are suitable for storage:

• "Vitamin",
• Losinoostrovskaya,
• "Cardinal",
• "Shantane",
• "Queen of Autumn"
• Boltex.

For Siberia

Characterized by a harsh climate, short summers and early frosts. Late varieties of carrots do not reach biological ripeness in such weather. Therefore, mid-season carrots are grown:

• "Nantes",
• "Shantane",
• Losinoostrovskaya.

For the Urals

Photo: Variety Vitamin

Ural in the southern part with a milder climate. Most varieties can be grown here:

• "Vitamin",
• "Nantes",
• "Red Giant"
• "Queen of Autumn"
• "Totem F1",
• "Emperor".

In the center and in the north of the Urals, difficult climatic conditions, cool summers. It is recommended to choose cold-resistant, medium-late varieties:

• "Red Giant"
• "Vitamin",
• "Forto".

The largest carrot

Reaches a size of 300-350 g. It is suitable for winter storage, resistant to fungi, does not lose its taste. Varieties -

• "Nantes",
• "Canada F1",
• "Gourmet",
• "Nandrin F1".

Carrot storage rules

Photo: Storage options for carrots

Recommendations of experienced vegetable growers for harvesting and storing carrots:

1. Disinfect the cellar, storage for the removal of spores of fungi and larvae of pests.
2. Dry carrots in the shade or in a ventilated area. Remove the tops from the carrots to the very point of growth.
3. Frost damaged carrots are not suitable for storage. She will quickly lose resistance to disease.
4. Lay whole root crops for the winter, without cracks or scratches. Large, hard carrots can be stored longer without loss of flavor.
5. Root crops during storage should not touch each other. Do not go through the entire box if rotten carrots are found. Just delete the damaged instance. When mixed, mushroom spores spread to neighboring vegetables.
6. The most common storage method is in a wooden box filled with sawdust or sand:
   • air temperature - from 0 to +4 ° C;
   • humidity - 80–85%.

Storage in the apartment:

• wrap the carrots in paper and keep them in a cardboard box or wooden box in a cool pantry;
• in the refrigerator, washed carrots are stored in a polyethylene bag or in a plastic container.

Possible storage errors:

1. Collection and storage of crops after the onset of frost. Frozen vegetables will start to rot during storage.
2. Drying the harvested crop in the sun. Root crops under the influence of sunlight begin to turn green.
3. Partial removal of tops from root crops. Greens begin to grow actively, carrots wither and lose their taste characteristics.
4. Storage at subzero temperatures - vegetables will freeze and begin to rot. When the temperature rises, the carrots will wither, as the tops will begin to sprout.

Reviews of carrot varieties

The Nantes variety is popular with most gardeners. It is recommended for cultivation in all regions of the country. Experienced summer residents get up to 5 kg of harvest from 1 m².With the correct setting for storage for the winter, the "Nantes" variety is not affected by rot, retains its taste and hardness until spring. Many gardeners note the following advantages of the variety: good yield and safety during storage, high taste.

According to gardeners, one of the best representatives of the Dutch selection is the Boltex variety. It is used by lovers of compact, thickened root crops. Boltex does not crack, contains a lot of carotene, has a red-orange color and rich taste. Vegetable growers also recommend using this variety for a "bunch" harvest in early summer.

The late variety "Queen of Autumn" is successfully grown even by inexperienced summer residents. Its advantages are called disease resistance, rich taste and the ability not to lose taste and weight until spring. Gardeners of the northern regions sow the "Queen of Autumn" with a short autumn, as it can withstand temperatures as low as -4 ° C.

The right variety of carrots will help preserve vegetables until spring. Late to mid-term harvests retain flavor, density and weight throughout the storage period.

Carrots are one of the most consumed vegetables, and it's quite difficult to imagine your diet without it. Owners of their own gardens prefer to grow it on their own, rather than buy it on the market, because it is not at all difficult to get a good harvest of carrots with proper care. The problem here is different - how to preserve the grown root crops until spring, to protect them from rotting and drying out.

The best varieties of carrots for winter storage

Almost every gardener is familiar with the situation when large, ripe and absolutely healthy carrots begin to rot by the New Year, turn black inside, lose their elasticity and taste. Moreover, this happens even in those cellars and basements where the required temperature and humidity conditions are met. As you know, the duration of storage largely depends on the timing of planting and harvesting carrots, as well as growing conditions, but the choice of the variety is the decisive factor.

It is important to choose the right carrot variety for winter storage.

Criteria for choosing a variety of carrots

Saving time of carrots

The assortment of carrot seeds is now simply huge, and it is easy for a novice gardener to get confused in this abundance of varieties and hybrids. In order not to be mistaken when choosing, you need to take into account some important nuances:

• zoned domestic varieties better tolerate unfavorable climatic conditions, are less demanding on the composition of the soil and are of better quality in taste;
• varieties of foreign selection are distinguished by the evenness and attractiveness of root crops, but their taste is less intense, and the demands on growing conditions are higher;
• long-fruited varieties yield crops only on deeply plowed loose soil with good air permeability;
• varieties that form round root crops grow quickly, but the yield is small;

  Round fruit carrots

• late-ripening varieties are best kept.

Among mid-season and early varieties, there are also those that are distinguished by high keeping quality, but not all of them retain their taste. In addition, they need to be sown in two terms: in early spring and in early June, then the first collection is for summer-autumn use, and the second for storage. Cracking resistance is another criterion for the selection of seeds. Often, during the ripening process, carrots crack in the ground, the unprotected pulp is affected by pests and diseases, and it is no longer possible to store it.

Popular maturing varieties

Choosing the best varieties of carrots

Late ripening carrots

Late-ripening varieties are considered to be those that ripen 120-140 days after germination. They are more cold-resistant, less susceptible to disease, and therefore better stored. With optimal moisture and temperature values, late carrots are perfectly stored until June, practically without losing their taste. As a rule, late-ripening varieties have long pointed roots.

Autumn queen	Deservedly considered one of the most mature varieties of domestic selection. Forms attractive dense conical carrots 25 cm long and weighing from 80 to 230 g. Some specimens grow up to 30 cm. The flesh is very crispy and sweet, quite juicy. Both in conservation and in fresh salads, this variety is simply magnificent. The average yield is 4-9 kg / m2. Does not arrow, does not crack when ripe. The growing season lasts about 120 days, stored until June
Sweet winter	Differs in a very high yield. The growing season is 140-150 days, bright conical roots grow up to 20 cm. The pulp contains a lot of sugars and carotene. It retains its presentation and rich taste until June. Universal use, very resistant to shooting, does not crack
Olympus	A productive variety, ideal for long-term storage. Carrots are about 20 cm long, the average weight is 130 g. The dense pulp has a sweet taste, the color is rich orange. Does not lose its taste until the end of spring, does not crack when ripe. Universal use
Flaccoro	Popular late variety. It is valued for large root crops, the length of which reaches 28 cm, and the average weight is about 200 g. The growing season lasts 130 days, the yield per square meter is 8.8 kg. The taste is full-bodied, sweet, high in carotene
Red Giant	A well-known German variety that has proven itself well in our country. Forms large root crops weighing up to 140 g and about 25 cm long. It is well stored until the end of April, then its marketability decreases. Average yield 3 kg / m2, gives good results under winter sowing. It is quite resistant to diseases and shooting
The emperor	A versatile variety, characterized by keeping quality and transportability. The growing season lasts 130-135 days. Root crops have a pleasant sweet taste, juicy, reach 25-30 cm in length. The shape of the carrot is blunt-conical, the flesh is dark orange, almost red. High resistance to diseases, medium to shooting
Dolyanka	Polish variety. Very productive, does not throw out peduncles. Length of carrots 25-28 cm, average weight 130 g

Mid-season varieties

The ripening period for mid-ripening carrots lasts 100-120 days. It is believed that the sweetest and most juicy root vegetables grow from varieties of the middle growing season. By the harvesting period, carrots have time to absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from the soil, which not only improves the taste, but also increases keeping quality.

Vitamin 6	Ripening period 108-115 days. The shape is blunt-conical, the length reaches 15 cm, the average weight is 150 g. It is stored very well, does not lose marketability and taste during storage, the roots do not crack
Vita Longa	The most popular variety. Root weight 120 g, conical shape, the color of the pulp is very rich. It is appreciated for its resistance to black and gray rot, high transportability, keeping quality. Suitable for preservation, fresh consumption and juices
Moscow winter	Ripens 110-120 days, the shape is elongated, pointed, the flesh is dark orange in color. The length of the carrot is 10-16 cm, the average weight is 150 g. The yield per square meter is 5-7 kg. Does not crack, has an average resistance to rot, is stored without loss of presentation until April
Nantes	Excellent proven variety. It takes 110 days to ripen, the average weight is 120 g, the length of carrots is up to 18 cm. It has a cylindrical blunt-pointed shape, the flesh is almost red in color. Prized for its excellent taste and consistent yields, as well as its resistance to cracking. Stored until February-March, without losing marketability
Nantes 4	Vegetation lasts 110-112 days. The shape is cylindrical, color is light orange. Carrots grow 16 cm long, with an average weight of 150 g. The variety is appreciated for its high carotene content, tasty pulp, and ease of maintenance.The variety is widely zoned, gives a stable harvest in different climatic zones. Root crops do not crack when ripe, stored until February
Samson	Ripens in 110-120 days. Root crops are even, fusiform, weighing 150 g. Juicy and very crispy flesh, high in sugar. Carrot length 20-22 cm.Store until May, does not crack when ripe, is not subject to flowering
Flakke	A productive Dutch variety. It has very long (up to 30 cm) root crops, the weight of which reaches 170 g. It has an excellent taste, it is perfectly preserved until spring, and it tolerates transportation well. Medium disease resistance, non-cracking or lagging
Forto	Dutch selection, zoned for the Central region. Root crops grow up to 20 cm long, have a cylindrical shape. Root weight 90-100 g. It is appreciated for excellent keeping quality and stable yields.
Chance	Very cold hardy and fruitful. Root crops are blunt-conical, smooth, weighing from 80 to 130 g. It has a juicy, tasty pulp, used for processing and fresh. Diseases are rarely affected, stored until March

Early varieties

If the growing season is not more than 100 days, these are early maturing varieties. As a rule, they are grown for summer-autumn consumption, and do not differ in keeping quality. But among them there are those that, when ripe early, are able to be stored until spring, without losing either taste or presentation.

Alenka	The growing season lasts 75-90 days. Root crops of a slightly conical shape, with a blunt tip, rich color. The length of carrots is 10-12 cm, the average weight is about 90 g. The variety is rarely affected by gray rot, does not crack when ripe, it is very well stored
Artek	One of the most popular early varieties. The crop is harvested on the 70th day after germination, the roots are smooth, leveled, orange-red in color. The average weight of carrots is 120 g, length is up to 16 cm. For winter storage, seeds are sown in early summer. Root crops are little affected by fusarium, are not prone to flowering and do not crack
Nandrin	One of the new and improved varieties from Dutch breeders. The growing season is 100 days, the roots are cylindrical, leveled, up to 20 cm long.It is appreciated for its high resistance to cracking and a long shelf life

Storage recommendations for carrots

There are several effective ways to preserve carrots in winter. All of them are quite simple and do not require much effort from the gardener.

Option 1. This method requires a box of boards and sifted fine sand. The box is lowered into the cellar or basement, the bottom is covered with a layer of sand 5 cm thick and the roots are spread on top so that they do not touch. After finishing laying the first layer, cover the root crops with sand and repeat it all over again. The topmost layer is sand. If desired, you can moisten the sand a little, although in dry carrots they are perfectly stored until spring. Coniferous sawdust, moss and dry onion husks are also used instead of sand.

How to store carrots in the sand

Carrots in sawdust

Option 2. They choose carrots without the slightest damage, with smooth skin, and dry well in the shade. Then they take plastic bags and put no more than 3 kg of root crops in each of them.

How else to store carrots in plastic bags

How to store carrots

Option 3. Sorted carrots without tops and visible damage are dipped in a clay solution and laid out to dry under a canopy. The clay for the solution is taken clean, without admixtures of earth or plant residues. The solution should be thick, like sour cream, then it will not drain from the carrots, and forms a protective shell. After drying, the roots are folded into cardboard or wooden boxes and stored in a dry basement.

How to store carrots for the winter using clay

Option 4. In this way, it is recommended to store only part of the crop, since there will be no access to root crops during the winter.When harvesting carrots from the garden, several beds are left intact. Before the arrival of the first frost, the tops are cut off at the very ground, the beds are covered with a layer of sand and covered with a thick film. Lay a layer of sawdust, peat, fallen leaves or humus on top, and again cover everything with a film. Carrots are perfectly preserved underground, remain sweet and juicy.

How to freeze carrots for the winter

Video - The best varieties of carrots for storage for the winter

Video - Tips for collecting and storing carrots