What Month to Harvest Carrots: Exact Dates and Main Rules

Growing and harvesting carrots is a labor-intensive process that must be done correctly so that all the effort is not wasted. The timing of the harvest depends on the climate, but there are signs that tell you when to dig out your carrots.

What month to harvest carrots – rules

The timing of harvesting carrots depends on climatic conditions, the appearance of the root crop, and the variety. There are three of them:

  • Early – ripens 60-90 days after sprouting;
  • medium-ripening: ripe 100-130 days after sprouting;
  • late maturing: 130 to 150 days after emergence.

Early maturing carrots are harvested in June, medium maturing carrots in July-August, and late maturing carrots before frosts. For winter storage, it is the late-ripening carrots that are planted, as, under favorable conditions and temperature conditions, the root crops will last until the new harvest without problems.

Experts recommend removing the carrots when the ambient temperature drops to about 5 ° C. It is better to have time to do this before the first frosts – if the carrots have time to “grab” by frost, they will begin to rot, will be worse stored, and acquire a bitter taste.

If the lower leaves begin to turn yellow and dry, it is time to dig out the carrots.

How to dig up carrots correctly

In order to get a rich harvest and to ensure proper storage of root crops, follow the simple rules of digging carrots:

  • One month before harvesting, stop watering the beds;
  • Dig up carrots in the evening on a dry day;
  • from loose soil pull carrots by hand, from dry soil – forks;
  • immediately remove the tops;
  • leave the root crops on the bed for 1-2 hours, and then remove the dirt with your hands;
  • Spread the carrots in a dark, cool room for 24 hours, and then put them in the cellar.

If you do not follow the rules and timing of harvesting carrots, the vegetable will eventually lose its juiciness, lose a lot of nutrients and begin to crack. This will not only lead to a deterioration in the appearance of the vegetable but also an increased risk of infection.

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Written by Emma Miller

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and own a private nutrition practice, where I provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to patients. I specialize in chronic disease prevention/ management, vegan/ vegetarian nutrition, pre-natal/ postpartum nutrition, wellness coaching, medical nutrition therapy, and weight management.

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