Carrot variety Samson is the main sales leader in Russia. Root crops of this variety have excellent taste, are stored for a long time and contain a huge amount of useful trace elements. We learn how to plant this carrot, and how to care for it.
Samson carrot grows flat and smooth
Samson carrots have good taste, therefore, is one of the best-selling varieties in Russia
Grade history
The homeland of the variety is Holland. Scientists at Bejo Zaden have long been engaged in the cultivation of various varieties of not only carrots, but also other crops, so their achievements always cause success and excitement among vegetable growers, not only from Holland, but from the whole world.
Description and characteristics of Samson carrots
Belongs to mid-early grades. From the appearance of the first sprouts to harvesting, 4 months pass. The rosette of leaves is semi-spreading, foliage of a deep green hue. Ripe vegetables in ripe form are bright orange, smooth, of a standard cylindrical shape.
Peel without tubercles and lesions, tip slightly rounded. The mass of one root crop is about 130 g, and reaches 150 g. It is 25 cm long, but can be 2-3 cm more.
Peel and pulp of the same color - orange. The core is small in diameter, tightly connected with the flesh, a characteristic carrot taste. The root crop contains approximately 10% solids.
Samson carrots do not crack, they are stored for a long time, and can remain in the cellar until the next season.
During ripening, root crops do not rise above ground level. Seed germination is about 80%, seedlings are not afraid of frost, without any problems survive cooling to -4 degrees Celsius.
Samson carrots have strong immunity, diseases that affect other varieties are not afraid of her. The only enemy that Samson is capable of destroying is the carrot fly.
Using
Root vegetables are ideal for preparing salads and hot dishes. They are also used as an addition to pickles, put into conservation. You can make carrot juice from root vegetables.
Advantages and disadvantages
Samson carrots, like other varieties of this culture, have pros and cons, they must be taken into account when growing plants.
The advantages of this variety:
- high productivity;
- not exacting about leaving and growing conditions;
- the possibility of growing throughout Russia;
- with prolonged storage, root crops do not begin to rot;
- has a universal purpose.
The disadvantages of the variety:
- not the highest germination;
- the likelihood of the formation of ugly root crops;
- finding seeds for sowing is very difficult.
Ripening period
The variety is characterized by an average ripening period. The first sprouts appear after sowing seeds in 1-2 weeks, technical maturity occurs in 3.5-4 months.
In central Russia, you can shoot the first crop in the middle of summer. By the end of summer, root crops finally reach technical maturity, and they can be used for further storage or processing.
Productivity
Samson carrot variety is distinguished by high productivity - from 1 sq. Km. m you can get from 6 to 9 kg of crop. It all depends on the care of the plant, and the place of cultivation. Soil, fertilizers and climate also play an important role. This indicator is high, for example, the yield of world-famous Nantes carrots brings 30% less root crops.
Harvest of carrots Samson has an excellent presentation. There are very few defective or ugly root crops.
Seed production technology
The Dutch company that created this variety is characterized by high quality products, so before going on sale, the seeds undergo strict cleaning and processing. It consists in calibration, stimulation to germination, treatment from diseases and pests.
The Dutch breeding community sells seeds in different forms:
- ordinary seed with a high degree of purity of the variety;
- calibrated grains with medium germination; nutritious granulated seeds;
- seed with a high content of prophylactic agents, etc.
The precursors of carrots on the site
Crop rotation plays a large role in growing crops. Plant carrots after onions, potatoes, cabbage, zucchini, cucumbers and pumpkins. The main thing is not to sow the seeds of Samson in place of carrots or beets. If you have no other site, then especially carefully dig the site before planting.
Landing Features
Samson variety is unique, the plant coexists in any climate, so you must adhere to the basic rules of agricultural technology, and then you will not have problems with growing.
Site selection and soil preparation
A good crop can only be obtained in lighted areas with fertile and loose soil.
The carrot area is not fertilized with fresh manure.
Prepare the site for carrots in the fall, carefully dig the soil and fertilize. Pay attention to the acidity of the soil, at an increased rate add chalk or lime. You can also use dolomite flour.
Top dressing per 1 sq. Km. m:
- 5 kg of humus or finished compost;
- 2 cups of wood ash.
When choosing a place for growing carrots, choose hills, since the plant does not grow well in the lowlands with a close occurrence of groundwater. Cultivate heavy soils by adding peat or sawdust. The amount of yield on clay soils will be minimal, and the risk of the appearance of deformed root crops also increases.
Sowing process
Sowing seeds can be both in spring and autumn. The variety is cold-resistant, but still it is not necessary to plant the seed material very early. The best indicators for sowing: air temperature + 14 ... + 17 degrees Celsius, soil - + 5 ... + 9 degrees Celsius.
Samson carrot planting algorithm:
- On the prepared bed, make indentations for sowing, leave a distance of 20 cm between them.
- Carefully water the grooves and sow the seeds. For a more convenient sowing, you can mix the grains with sand or chalk.
- Deepen the seed no deeper than 2 cm, sprinkle with soil on top. You can cover the landings with non-woven material, but this is not necessary. Shelter is necessary only if the frost in your region has not passed, and you want to protect the crop from temperature extremes.
- For sowing, choose pelleted grains, they germinate better. You can use the technology of planting seed on paper tapes.
- After 7-10 days, the first shoots appear, and after 2 weeks, carrots spike in smooth green rows. Covering material is not needed at this stage.
Growing and caring for carrots
Samson carrots need standard care, which consists of loosening the soil, watering the plants, applying fertilizing.
Watering
Carefully irrigate crops need from the moment emergence. The introduction of water is unnecessary if it rains or the soil remains wet. As soon as root crops begin to form, increase the number of irrigations. Make water only standing and warm, thoroughly moisten the soil. 1-2 weeks before harvesting, stop watering. Such a simple technique will help the fruits become stronger, crunchy and juicy.
You can find more information on proper watering of carrots here.
Loosening and weeding
Loosening must be carried out after watering. This event will help prevent the formation of a hard crust on the soil surface, and will also provide oxygen access to plant roots.
After emergence of carrots, control the number of weeds. They grow very quickly, and over time they can displace carrots from the site. First, weed out so that they do not harm the seedlings. As soon as the carrots gain strength, weeds will not be afraid of her. Weeding the beds is necessary as needed.
If you planted carrots in ribbons, then the crop does not need thinning. In other cases, this activity cannot be dispensed with, thinning is carried out:
- 1st time - 3 weeks after the formation of the first shoots;
- 2nd time - as soon as root crops reached 2 cm in diameter.
Do not forget about mulching. The soil protective layer is best made from sawdust, peat or humus.
Top dressing
Like all other crops, carrots also need to be fertilized. For the fall season, it is customary to feed plants 2-3 times, use nitrophosphate or superphosphate. A good alternative is wood ash, it not only enriches the soil, but also protects against pests and diseases.
Add potassium, it improves the taste of root crops, helps carrots to be stored longer in the cellar.
Fertilizers for vegetables stored in winter play a special role. Root crops must be fully protected from rot and various infections. Use special solutions of humates, from ready-made mixtures Kemira, Rastvorin and Universal are suitable.
Apply organic fertilizer after harvest to restore and saturate the soil.
Pest and Disease Control
Carrots of this variety are not attacked by pests. But it is better to carry out preventive measures. To prevent rot, treat plantings with Bordeaux liquid, and to combat insects use folk methods:
- Use for spraying herbal infusions: wormwood + wood ash.
- Powder with tobacco, hot pepper or mustard.
- Near the carrots, plant onions, it scares off the main enemy - the carrot fly.
- Plant seed pellets. In this case, you do not have to thin out the plants, and holes will not appear on the root crops, where the carrot fly likes to lay eggs.
- Before planting seeds, treat them in solutions of boric acid, potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide.
Use chemicals only in the most emergency cases.
Harvesting
Harvest root crops in September, focusing on the weather in your area and on the state of the crop. Early harvests (carrots will not pick up sweetness and juiciness) and too late (root crops will crack or spoil) will not benefit.
The moment of harvest is calculated according to the growing season, starting from the time of germination of the first sprouts. The best way to check the condition of the crop is to dig and try the root crop.
What is the best way to store Samson carrots?
Storage of carrots of this variety is no different from other varieties of carrots. Ensure proper conditions:
- Humidity not less than 85%.
- Temperature 0 ... + 3 degrees Celsius.
The storage area should be dry and dark. Root crops are excellently stored for about 8-9 months in boxes or boxes, sprinkled with sand or sawdust.
Why does carrot grow ugly?
Root crops of carrots do not always grow even and beautiful, there are times when they are crooked, small, branched. The main causes of "deformity" of root crops:
- uneven watering;
- the presence of stones in the ground;
- poor soil.
If a root crop encounters stone, glass or pebbles on its way of growth, it will begin to wrap around an obstacle and grow an irregular shape, to avoid this, carefully inspect the site before planting, dig it up and remove unnecessary “obstacles”.
Reviews of gardeners
Tatyana, 46 years old, zoologist, Kirov. I plant Samson carrots annually, I like it for its good taste. I make with it not only a variety of preparations for the winter, but also healthy fresh juices. In winter, I store carrots on the balcony, in a special box. There are no problems with this, we get root crops when we want.
Lydia, 67 years old, pensioner, Pskov. Last year I tried to plant this variety of carrots at my site. I did not regret it, because he was very pleased. Seeds sprouted together, harvested in September, not a single twisted carrot. It is stored well, the taste is excellent, I have no comments on it. The only minus is that it is now very difficult to get seeds, it has already bypassed the whole city, nowhere is there, only on order.
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Add your review
Samson carrot is one of the best varieties of culture, its main advantage is the ability to grow in any region of the country. The plant is not afraid of colds and sudden frosts, which is very important for the gardeners of our country. With proper planting and proper care brings rich harvests.