Mini carrots: what is the name of the variety of small carrots, features of cultivation and care, beneficial properties

Description of the mini carrot variety

Mini carrots are a special variety, distinguished by their miniature fruit and short ripening period. This vegetable is often called children's or baby carrots.

Reference. In some cases, mini-carrots are an ordinary root vegetable that has not reached its full size and is harvested before full maturity.

The best varieties of mini carrots

Among the variety of varieties, the following stand out:

1. Caracas is an early cold-resistant variety. Suitable for cultivation on an industrial scale: the powerful leaf apparatus is convenient for harvesting with a pulling-type combine, the variety is undemanding in terms of thinning.
2. Karotel is a mid-season, bolting-resistant variety. It takes 100-110 days from germination to full ripening. Suitable for winter sowing. Cone-shaped fruits from 9 to 15 cm long and weighing 80-160 g. They have good keeping quality and transportability.
3. Marlinka is a mid-early variety (95 days). The length of the fruit is up to 10 cm, weight – 90-170 g. They have soft and juicy pulp.
4. Polar cranberry is an early ripening (65 days) cold-resistant variety. Root vegetables of a non-standard round shape, like radishes. They have smooth thin skin with small eyes. Poor keeping quality, but excellent taste.
5. Rondo is a hybrid of Czech selection. It takes 80-85 days from germination to harvest. The roots are small (3-5 cm), round in shape. Does not give arrows, is resistant to cracking.
6. Khibiny greenhouse is an early ripening (54-70 days before harvesting bunched carrots, 90-100 days until full maturity) high-yielding variety, bred in the domestic Arctic. The root crop is round, small, weighing up to 35 g.

Origin and development

Mini carrots became popular in the early 1980s. Farmer Mike Yurozek from California (USA) was refused to sell a large batch of vegetables due to the fact that they were of substandard type - too thin, short, forked and twisted. To save the situation, the farmer peeled the carrots and cut them into small cylinders. In this form, the product was loved by many Americans, as it was completely ready for consumption.

This wave aroused interest in varieties of dwarf carrots that existed long before Yurozek’s “discovery”: Grelo, Davantyur. Subsequent work by breeders in different countries led to the modern variety of mini-carrots.

Chemical composition and beneficial properties

Baby carrots contain almost the same complex of vitamins and minerals as regular-sized root vegetables.

Mini carrots are rich in:

• beta-carotene – 10-13 mg per 100 g of product, which is 2-2.5 times the daily requirement of an adult;
• vitamin A – 2000 mcg;
• vitamin C – 5 mg;
• calcium – 27 mg;
• potassium – 200 mg;
• phosphorus – 55 mg;
• iron – 0.7 mg;
• copper – 800 mcg.

Unlike many other vegetable crops, carrots during heat treatment not only do not lose their beneficial properties, but increase them. Better absorption of microelements is facilitated by combining carrots with fats: dairy products or vegetable oils.

Reference. It is recommended to drink carrot juice with milk or cream before going out in the sun - the tan will acquire a beautiful shade.

Useful properties of carrots:

1. Beta-carotene protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and is responsible for its healthy appearance and smoothness.
2. Vitamin A improves vision.
3. Carrots serve as a prophylactic for iron deficiency anemia.
4. Indicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis.
5. Helps cope with vitamin deficiency.

Features of application

Mini carrots are good both raw and after heat treatment. It can be used in salads, soups, vegetable stews, purees, as a side dish or filling for pies. Fresh mini carrots are great as a snack and a healthy alternative to sweets.

Fresh mini-carrots appear in stores at the very beginning of summer; at other times of the year they are sold whole frozen or canned.

Reference. Glazed mini carrots are a favorite side dish for children in France. To prepare it, peeled root vegetables are mixed with water, honey and vegetable oil. Then simmer in a hot frying pan for 7 minutes. Sprinkle the finished dish with lemon juice and sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley.

Ripening time and yield

Depending on the variety, the growing season of the crop ranges from 50 to 110 days.

The small size of root crops does not prevent mini-carrots from producing a yield of 260 to 770 centners per 1 hectare of plantings.

Characteristics, description of appearance, taste

Mini carrots have a cylindrical fruit with a blunt tip. Fruit dimensions: 5-8 cm in length, 1.5-3 cm in diameter. At the same time, there are varieties with rounded roots. The high carotene content gives baby carrots their bright orange color.

Miniature root vegetables are juicy and sweet.

Disease resistance and climate requirements

Mini carrots are resistant to cracking, bolting, rot and leaf spot. The variety is characterized by great diversity, therefore it is suitable for cultivation in almost any climatic conditions:

• the Marlinka variety is suitable for the Central Black Earth Region;
• in the Middle Zone, the Urals and Siberia, the Caracas mini-carrot produces a harvest;
• With proper care, the harsh climate of the northern regions can be tolerated by Polar cranberry and Khibiny greenhouse.

Caracas

Gardeners have been cultivating the Caracas variety for a long time. Root vegetables are orange in color and sweet. The fruit can weigh up to 190 g. Breeders developed dwarf carrots based on a common variety. Its weight is 30 g. Fruits weighing 40 g are considered large:

The variety Karkas is a hybrid. They grow it only for one year and do not leave it for seeds. The crop is mid-season; it takes 4 months to reach technical maturity.

The plant tolerates both frost and high temperatures well and is adapted to daily changes. Caracas carrots are grown in the Caucasus, the Lower Volga region, and the Moscow region.

More on the topic: What care does the Anastasia f1 carrot require?

Features of planting and growing

Growing mini carrots is in many ways similar to cultivating other varieties. The main feature is predominantly winter planting and a shorter growing season.

Preparing for landing

Seeds required before planting:

1. Sort. This is easy to do by placing the seed material in a saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water). Discard specimens that float to the surface, and rinse the rest in running water and dry.
2. Disinfect in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
3. When planting in regions with a cold climate, harden off: pour the seeds with water at room temperature, then place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

After each procedure, the seeds are dried so that they do not germinate ahead of time.

Soil requirements

Mini carrots are photophilous, so planting them requires a well-lit area. Other requirements include:

• good drainage, since the crop does not tolerate stagnant water;
• neutral soil acidity;
• fertile light soil - chernozem, loam or sandy loam are ideal; in other cases, humus and peat are added to the soil a month before sowing.

Predecessors

It is better to plant carrots in an area where nightshades (tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes) or cabbage were grown. After these plants, the soil is saturated with nutrients necessary for a rich harvest.

In former cucumber beds, carrots are sown no earlier than 2 years later, otherwise excess organic matter will lead to rotting of the plantings at an early stage.

Reference. Strong odors emanating from alliums - onions, garlic, wild garlic - can repel carrot flies. To protect root crops from this pest, they practice planting these plants together.

Other umbelliferous plants (the family to which carrots belong) - parsley, dill, caraway, parsnips and celery - are considered bad predecessors because of the danger of the proliferation of pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

For winter planting, choose the middle - end of November. Earlier planting is fraught with germination of seeds and the appearance of seedlings that will die when the first frost occurs. Overwintered mini-carrots will produce a harvest in June.

In regions with frequent thaws and recurrent frosts, spring planting is preferable. Choose a moment when the snow has already melted, but the soil has warmed up to no more than +8...+10°C. Depending on the climate zone, this may be the second half of April or May. Covering material will help protect crops from frost.

To get a harvest with good keeping quality, choose mid-season and mid-early varieties. The optimal time for planting them is May-June. The same period is suitable for re-sowing early varieties.

Important! Carrots do not tolerate excessively wet soil. About a month before planting, the area is covered with film to protect it from rain and melting snow.

Despite the miniature size of the root crops, it is recommended to maintain a distance between grooves of 2 cm and a seeding depth of 2-2.5 cm.

Nuances of care

Caring for carrot plantings includes watering, thinning and fertilizing the plants, protecting them from weeds, diseases and pests.

Watering mode

After the first shoots appear, watering is carried out once every 3 days, water consumption is 3 l/m². As the plant grows, the frequency of irrigation is reduced to once a week. In this case, about 10-15 liters of water are required per 1 m² of planting. A couple of weeks before harvesting, watering is stopped.

Reference. The best effect is achieved by watering in the morning or evening hours, when solar activity is reduced and the air is warmed up by no more than +20...+25°C.

Thinning and weed control

Weeds and dense planting interfere with the normal development of carrots. Therefore, immediately after the appearance of 2 true leaves, the beds are weeded and thinned at the same time. To achieve optimal density, leave a distance of 4-5 cm between plants.

Soil herbicides (Gezagard, Reglon Super) help reduce the number of weedings. The soil is treated with the preparations dissolved according to the instructions.

Top dressing

During the growing season of mini-carrots, 3 feedings are recommended:

1. At the stage of 3-4 true leaves, the plant needs nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. For these purposes, a solution of 2 matchboxes of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water is suitable.
2. After 2-3 weeks (the tops consist of 4-6 true leaves), fertilize with complex fertilizers, for example, nitrophoska - 2 matchboxes per 10 liters of water.
3. During the growth phase of the root crop, there is an outflow of nutrients from the above-ground part. To form sweet and juicy fruits, phosphorus, boron and manganese are needed. Superphosphate (60-80 g per 10 liters of water) will help maintain the vitality of the plant.

To remove nitrates, 30 days before harvesting, you can fertilize the soil with potassium-containing preparations.

Disease and pest control

The main cause of plant diseases is violation of agricultural practices. As a rule, this is incorrect crop rotation, excessive watering without providing adequate drainage, dense plantings, the presence of weeds and insufficient loosening.

Carrots are most susceptible to fungal diseases:

1. Phoma appears as dark brown spots on the tops, petiole and the root itself.
2. Alternaria blight (dry or black spot) is characterized by dark spots, curling of the foliage and a bitter taste in the carrot pulp.
3. Cercospora blight leads to darkening of the tops, deformation and shredding of root crops.
4. Brown spotting is more common in young plants; the first sign is darkening of the tops at the base; as they grow, the leaves begin to turn yellow and acquire a brown color.
5. Powdery mildew reveals itself by a characteristic white coating on plants.
6. Rhizoctonia (felt rot) is a putrefactive coating on root crops, which gradually thickens and forms a crust.

Among bacterial diseases, bacteriosis especially often affects carrots: the lower part of the tops turns yellow, then brown areas form on the root crop.

The following drugs are used for treatment:

• decoctions of herbs (celandine, nettle, horsetail);
• Bordeaux mixture;
• copper oxychloride (CHOM);
• contact chemical fungicides - “Rovral” (“Iprodione”), “Skor” (“Difenoconazole”);
• biofungicides – “Fitosporin-M”, “Mikorad MALSANO” (“Trichodermin”).

Carrot flies, moths and psyllids are considered to be the worst pests of carrot plantings. Fight them with:

• industrial insecticides (Intavir, Karatan, Karate Zeon, Medvedox);
• folk remedies (tobacco-soap and saline solution, infusion of onion or garlic);
• repellent plants (calendula, marigold, onion, garlic);
• mulch between rows (wood ash, pine sawdust).

Small carrots: nuances of cultivation

Small carrots are planted before winter, so cultivation will vary slightly. The choice of location and soil is carried out in advance. Main rules:

1. Do not allow moisture to stagnate in the ground.
2. Fertilize acidic soil with chalk or lime.
3. Add peat and humus to make the soil loose and healthy.

The material for sowing is also pre-prepared, for which the seedlings are immersed in liquid for a couple of hours, and then left in a wet cloth for a day. As soon as the seeds have swelled, you need to harden them by putting them in the refrigerator for a couple of days. This way the sprouts will not die during premature cold snaps in the spring. Apply the following sowing scheme for small carrots:

1. It is necessary to divide the bed into long depressions up to 2-2.5 cm deep.
2. The hollows need to be made at a distance of 20 cm.
3. The end of the bed from the first row should have a gap of 10-12 cm.

Planting occurs before winter, in mid-November, before cold weather begins. Tender shoots die during the first frost. To prevent the seeds from freezing longer, place a layer of peat or manure on the bed and tamp it down a little. As soon as snow appears, the bed needs to be covered with pine branches.

In spring, the garden bed needs to be covered with film so that the small vegetable ripens faster and develops strong roots. The soil under the film should be moist and not cold. The film is removed when the seedlings have 3 leaves. 14 days after the formation of multiple shoots, the very first cultivation steps are performed:

1. You need to cut through the small shoots, leaving the strongest and largest shoots.
2. Loosen the earth a little.
3. Add complex liquid composts for seedlings.

Harvest and storage

The ripeness of the root crop is determined by the condition of the ground part . The dying off of the lower leaves indicates the plant is ready for harvest. Also, the gardener should focus on the timing specified in the instructions for the seed material.

Harvest in dry weather - damp carrots will not be stored for long. If necessary, root vegetables are dried in the open air, hidden from direct sunlight under a tent.

Reference. Removing the tops helps to extend the shelf life - they are cut off or torn off with twisting movements.

Storage features and shelf life

Early varieties of mini-carrots have poor shelf life, so it is recommended to eat them as soon as possible after harvesting or prepare them in any available way: freeze, preserve or dry them.

More mature mid-season and mid-early varieties are Karotel and Marlinka. These carrots are stored in a cool, dry cellar for several months.

Marlinka

The Marlink carrot has a conical shape, the end is rounded, and the shoulders are flat. The core is clearly expressed. The flesh is a rich orange hue. The litter is early. The crop is harvested within 100 days after sowing. I recommend growing the crop in regions of Siberia, the Far East, and in regions with a mild climate:

• The crop is frost-resistant and tolerates light frosts. In extreme heat, root development is inhibited. The optimal mode for mini-carrots is 20 C;
• root length 8-10 cm. Weight is large, up to 100 g, but most often vegetables weighing 40 g are harvested;
• sweet vegetables. Experts have established that they contain a high sugar content of 7.1% and carotene 12.8 mg;
• Little waste is found during harvesting. 91% of root vegetables are suitable for further use;
• the yield is 2.9-5.8 kg/m2;
• the roots do not protrude from the soil and are not prone to bolting.

More on the topic: How to store carrots?

Before sowing, it is recommended to awaken the seeds and start the metabolic process in the core. For this purpose, biostimulants of growth are used: “Epin” 1.4 g/3 l of water, “Humates +”, 2.5 ml/3 l. Keep the seed in one of the solutions for 2 hours. If sowing is planned to be done in the fall, then you do not need to treat the seeds. Melt water has a positive effect on them.

The Marlinka variety can be planted in both spring and late autumn. Seeds develop at a temperature of 3-5 C. For normal development, root vegetables need warmth, but not more than 23 C. Vegetables are stored well.

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They are provided with a cool room with good ventilation. Marlinka is an original variety, not a hybrid, so gardeners leave a few roots until fully ripe to get seeds.

Reviews of the mini carrot variety

Baby carrots received the well-deserved love of summer residents. Proof of this is their rave reviews.

Maria: “The little carrot is a real find! Minimum effort in growing and maximum pleasure on the plate. Little children gobble up these “short ones” by both cheeks!”

Ivan: “I’m desperate to grow carrots in our permafrost conditions (Murmansk region). I tried the Khibinskaya greenhouse variety - it feels great under the film, and tolerates temperature changes with a bang.”

Parmex

The Parmex variety was created by French breeders. It is distinguished by a round-shaped root crop. Orange color. Early culture. 100 days after the shoots appear, they begin to harvest. Experts note that children like Parmex for its juicy and crispy pulp.

Vegetables are used in cooking and confectionery. They are not stored for the winter; they are poorly stored and quickly lose moisture:

• root weight 30 g. It grows up to 4 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter;
• The rosette of stems is well developed. Medium spreading bush. When sowing, use a 7*30 cm pattern;
• the crop grows well on hard soil, the fruits are not deformed. It is grown in open ground in the southern regions and under film in regions with cold summers;
• the optimal soil temperature for sowing is 3 C, for plant development 20 C;
• small Parmex carrots bring a large harvest, up to 5 kg/m2. The culling percentage of root crops is small, no more than 5%.

The Parmex variety is not prone to bolting, so you can use drugs to accelerate root development. Plants are sprayed with a 1% boric acid solution. Treatment is carried out 1-2 times with a pause of 2-3 weeks. Boric acid is an antiseptic and prevents the development of infectious and fungal diseases.

Clay soils and hard loams are suitable for growing Parmex, but gardeners prefer to add sand or sawdust, 5 kg/m2. Vesta with fillers is introduced with ash to prevent the development of fungus. Heavy soils do not absorb moisture well. Water often remains on the surface.

There is a risk of waterlogging. Putrefactive bacteria develop in wet soil. To avoid waterlogging, it is recommended to mulch the beds with peat, straw or sand.

Granddaughter

Carrots of the Vnuchka variety are distinguished not only by their small size, but also by their round shape. People call it cranberry. It looks more like an orange berry. The crop can be grown in any climate zone. It is planted both in an open garden and under a film.

The plant is frost-resistant. Gardeners practice both spring sowing and planting winter crops:

The bushes of the Vnuchka variety are upright, grow up to 15-20 cm. When sowing, a step of 5 cm is observed. The distance between the beds is 10-12 cm. For winter crops, the soil is prepared at the end of summer. For spring sowing, all nutrient mixtures and fertilizers are introduced in the autumn.

Carrots do not require very fertile soil. The crop shows good yield on loam, which must be softened with sand or sawdust.

"Polar Cranberry"

One of the earliest forms - only 65 days from sowing to harvest. Round specimens resemble large radishes. They have high resistance to cracking. Valued for ease of collection. The smooth surface is covered with small eyes. The head does not turn green. Suitable for fresh consumption, processing, storage and transportation. Often grown for early harvest for later sale. The pulp is intensely colored, with a high content of sugars and dry substances. Due to its small size, the variety is suitable for preservation in its entirety. Pickled together with other small vegetables, they do not lose their taste, but give the appetizer more aroma and contrast.