Crop rotation rules for carrots: then sow, what to plant after and next to

Until the 13th century, carrots were used only as feed for horses. Then this vegetable did not look so appetizing - purple roots, when cooked, became brown and unattractive. But after the usual orange varieties were bred in the Netherlands, carrots began to be grown everywhere and widely used in cooking.

Carrots are unpretentious in care. However, in order to grow juicy orange roots on your site, it is important to follow the rules of crop rotation, that is, to periodically change the planting sites. The article will tell you after which crops you can sow carrots the next year and what to grow after carrots, according to the principles of crop rotation.

Crop rotation rules for growing carrots

Like all root vegetables, carrots love loose, fertile soil. If nutrients are lacking, roots grow small, uneven and tasteless. This situation happens if the rules of crop rotation are not followed in the garden.

Crop rotation is the alternation of crops planted on a site. Crop rotation rules are used to increase soil fertility and rational use of nutrients, as well as reduce the risk of disease and pest infestation.

Attention. The place for growing carrots is changed every year. The culture is returned to the previous bed no earlier than after 3-4 years.

Why is it important to observe crop rotation

The main reasons why you should follow the rules of crop rotation:

1. The number of pathogenic microorganisms and pests in the soil decreases, since different groups of plants are affected by different pests and diseases.
2. The fertility of the soil does not decrease, but rather increases, because each crop enriches it with its own nutrients.
3. The roots of some plants release toxins that inhibit the development of crops in the same family. Carrots are of this type. Competent crop rotation reduces this negative effect to zero, making the soil healthier.

Compliance with the rules of crop rotation increases yields and improves the quality of root crops.

After which it is better to sow carrots

For sowing, those beds are chosen on which crops unrelated to it were grown in the previous season.

Tomatoes and other nightshade crops are considered to be the most favorable planting precursors. Tomatoes have a shallow root system and feed in a different layer of soil. They are affected by other pests and other diseases.

Legumes, crucifers (e.g. cabbage), potatoes, onion, garden greens are also considered good predecessors for carrots.

Important! Root crops are planted in the former cucumber beds, but not earlier than two years later. After cucumbers, a lot of organic matter remains in the soil, the excess of which negatively affects the development of carrots.

Cucumbers belong to the pumpkin family, right after them it is good to sow nightshades, legumes, potatoes.

Unfavorable predecessors

Unfavorable predecessors for carrots are related crops from the umbrella family: parsley, celery, cilantro, parsnip, dill.

The least suitable predecessor is parsley.In the process of growth, it creates comfortable conditions in the ground for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, the roots get sick, grow small and uneven. If there is no other area, then it is recommended to disinfect the soil with a strong solution of potassium permanganate before sowing seeds.

Also, carrots should not be planted after other root vegetables, for example, turnips, beets, radishes, turnips, celery. This group of plants is fed from one layer of soil, depleting it.

What to sow after carrots

The next spring, after carrots, radishes, sweet potatoes, physalis are planted. But only with good illumination of the site and the presence of protection from drafts. It's a good idea to plant artichokes or cardons.

Garlic and onions are planted in the former carrot beds. Their phytoncides scare away carrot flies. Sowing cabbage, potatoes, legumes, tomatoes will be successful.

In addition to vegetable crops, after carrots, melons (watermelon), pumpkin (pumpkin, cucumber) and berry (strawberries, garden strawberries) are planted. Melons and pumpkins love organic fertilizers: by preparing a plot for them, you will restore soil fertility.

Carrots, like all root vegetables, drain the soil. To restore the nutritional value of the soil, in addition to fertilizers, green manure plants are used. It can be rye, oats, phacelia, mustard. Siderata not only activate the activity of beneficial microflora, but also destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

What is better not to plant after carrots

The following spring, it is not recommended to sow related umbrella crops (parsley, celery, cilantro, parsnips, dill) and carrots on the carrot bed. So you will prevent pest infestation of crops and the development of diseases.

Carrots take a lot of potassium and phosphorus from the soil. Having replenished the content of these elements by applying fertilizers, you can plant any crop on this site, except for umbrella crops.

Compatibility with other cultures

When drawing up a site plan, it is important to consider not only predecessors, but also compatibility with "neighbors". Certain cultures help each other grow.

For example, it is helpful to plant onions and garlic around the perimeter of the carrot bed. With their strong pungent odor, they scare away the main enemy of the carrot - the carrot fly. For the same purpose, tomatoes, beans, and herbs are placed next to carrots.

It is convenient to make combined beds on the site, where different crops alternate. On the same bed, furrows with carrots can alternate with herbs, onions, garlic.

Need to know. Placing carrots and onions on the same bed, keep in mind that carrots in the middle of summer will require abundant watering, and the formed bulbs may begin to rot from excess moisture.

Cucumbers and lettuce are often affected by white rot. Carrot roots are also susceptible to the same disease. It is preferable to place these crops further from each other.

What not to plant next to carrots

Carrots should not be sown next to apple trees. The spring summer of a carrot fly coincides with the flowering of apple trees and will attract a pest, moreover, such a neighborhood will spoil the taste of both vegetables and apples.

It is not recommended to place dill, anise, celery, parsley next to an orange vegetable. All of these crops attract the carrot fly.

Useful Tips

Tips and tricks from experienced gardeners will help you grow an enviable harvest of healthy vegetables on your site:

1. Make a plan for your site. Divide the garden into 4 zones on the plan and each season move the crops from each group in a circle. Then the plants will return to their previous beds in 4 years.
2. Do not place carrot beds next to large fruit trees. In partial shade, root crops grow worse, and pests feel great.
3. To protect against pests, plant marigolds and marigolds around the perimeter of the carrot bed.
4. Sow green manure plants - white mustard, phacelia, rapeseed - between the main crops and in areas empty after harvest.These green fertilizers with a strong root system and fast growing green mass enrich the soil with useful substances. They are sown and then mowed and plowed into the ground.

Conclusion

Crop rotation is a simple agrotechnical technique that increases soil fertility, restrains the invasion of pests and pathogens.

To grow tasty, juicy carrots, choose the right site, taking into account the predecessors and "neighbors". Make a site plan and it will be easier for you to follow the simple but important rules of crop rotation.