Growing carrots: why do my carrots split?

A vegetable often found in the vegetable garden, carrots are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. However, like many vegetables, carrots are subject to multiple ailments. One of the most common is the vegetable split. In fact, it's a complication that develops in many gardens. But don't worry! In this article, I give you the solutions to avoid this problem.

• See also: how to sow carrots?

The importance of regular watering

When doing permaculture, it's important to know the water requirements of each vegetable. Too much water often results in the plant rotting, whereas too little water will tend to dry it out. In the case of carrots, the problem of root splitting is linked to the succession of these two conditions. In fact, the vegetable splits generally occurs during excessive watering following a period of drought. The plant, having lacked moisture, gorges itself with water and swells its cells until its tissues burst. Similarly, over-watering over a long period can cause the root to split. To avoid this problem, I recommend that you water your carrots regularly but lightly to develop compact roots.

Preparing your ground properly

Just as important as watering, the condition of the soil is a decisive factor in growing good vegetables. Over and above the organic richness of the soil, some vegetables will prefer one type of soil to another. Carrots like soil that is light and loose because it allows the roots to develop properly. If the soil in your garden is clayey and heavy, I recommend adding sand and compost. This will make it easier for the water to drain away and prevent rotting. Combined with over-watering, excess nitrogen in the soil can cause carrot splitting. To remedy this, you can add elements that are naturally rich in carbon. Brown waste such as twigs or RCW are very useful for rebalancing soil fertility.

How to grow beautiful carrots

Cracking carrots is not the only problem gardeners can experience when growing carrots. Diseases such as the carrot fly can cause considerable damage to harvests. To prevent the arrival of this insect, you can combine leek plants with carrot plants. This combination is highly effective in repelling the pests of each plant. Likewise, sowing carrots in soil that is too cold encourages seed rot. Referring to a sowing calendar is a good way of finding out when to sow carrots. For beautiful carrots, you can also clean your soil by removing any stones that could deform the carrot root.