Favorable days for harvesting beets and carrots in the Moscow region in 2020 according to the moon

September 15-30 is traditionally considered the period for harvesting in the countryside. Harvesting carrots In 2020, beets and carrots can be harvested in the Moscow region from August 15 to October 10. The winter season promises to be warm and mild, meaning spring planting will be slightly earlier than usual. The average ripening period for carrots and beets remains unchanged at 100 days; early harvesting of root vegetables will only extend their shelf life.

How to determine the ripeness of root vegetables

Beets and carrots are two vegetable crops that grow well together in the garden and ripen at roughly the same time. There are early and late varieties. It's best to plant together those varieties that will be ready for harvest at the same time. Keep in mind that:

1. The average ripening period for early carrots is 80-90 days, mid-season carrots approximately 100, and late carrots 120-130.
2. Early beets can be harvested after 100 days, mid-season beets after 115-120 days, and late beets after 140 days.

That's why early ripening beets are planted together with mid-season carrots.

You can't wait until all the greens are dry, as the vegetables will become too hard and the flavor will be significantly affected. The best way to tell if a carrot is ripe is to dig up 2-3. If the carrots are firm to the touch and the above-ground part where the root and greens meet is orange or brown, they're ready to harvest. Unlike carrots, beets can survive the first frost in the ground without rotting.

You can check the ripeness of beets by picking off the largest leaf of the top and tearing it. If juice starts to flow, it's too early to dig it up. If there's no abundant juice flow, break off the top of the top. The broken area should be shiny and dark green or brown. A soft green break indicates the vegetable needs more ripening.

Suitable dates

According to the lunar calendar, "male" fruits are harvested and planted on corresponding dates, and the same applies to "female" crops. Beets and carrots are considered female vegetables, meaning they should be harvested on the female days of the week: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Regarding the latter day, gardeners and folk healers disagree:

• summer residents consider Saturday an ordinary day;
• Sorcerers say that any manipulations in the garden except pruning branches and uprooting are prohibited, since this day is patronized by the heavy planet Saturn.

According to the moon, harvesting vegetables that will be stored throughout the winter is done during the waning phase. During this period, the movement of sap within plants slows, as if they are preserved. If root vegetables are dug up during the waxing moon, the vegetables will quickly become wilted. When harvesting vegetables, use the moon as a guide; the calendar indicates:

• lunar phases;
• day;
• planets;
• signs of the zodiac.

A table of favorable days for harvesting helps avoid making mistakes when planning work.

According to the recommendations of the lunar calendar table for the Moscow region, suitable dates have been determined for harvesting root cropsThey take into account the waning of the Earth's moon and the zodiac signs. The principle of dividing dates into "male" and "female" dates is not taken into account here, as it is not justified from an agronomical or astrological perspective.

If you follow the moon's recommendations, the harvested crop can be stored all winter, of course, following the rules for vegetable crops. Immediately after digging up carrots and beets, shake off the soil and let them sit for six hours in a dry place on nylon sheets or in ventilated plastic containers.

Fruit harvesting rules

Dig up beets and carrots on a good day; it shouldn't be cold outside, not below -4 ^OS. Typically, in the Moscow region, this type of weather begins in the last days of September and continues until the end of October. If the soil is not heavy or loose, vegetables are pulled out by hand by the tops. If the soil is dense, they are dug out with a pitchfork.

1. It's easier to dig this way.
2. Lower risk of damage to root crops.

If a fruit is punctured or a part is cut off during processing, it should not be stored due to the risk of mycotoxicosis and phytospores. Washing the vegetables is not recommended, as this will remove their protective layer—a unique oily layer that acts as a barrier to microbacteria. Root vegetables should be shaken free of soil and left to dry. The tops should be trimmed 30-50 mm from the fruit. If you remove the tops by hand, you can inadvertently damage the tops of carrots or beets, which will compromise the integrity of the fruit.

Harvesting carrots

Vegetables are harvested slowly, but within the allotted timeframe. Carrots begin to grow rapidly after September 15th. In the northern regions of the country, harvesting occurs after September 15th if there are early night frosts, but in the Moscow region, harvesting is permitted throughout October. It's important to complete the harvest before the night frosts begin to freeze the soil.

To determine if carrots are ready for harvest, remove one from the ground. If small roots are visible on the sides, the root vegetable is ripe and can be harvested safely. The harvest can be stored in boxes filled with sand.

Harvesting beets

Beets are ideal for winter storage. They are a very healthy vegetable with a wealth of vitamins and minerals. Many dietary supplements include beets in their winter menus. They are typically harvested as early as September. In warm autumns, the harvesting period can be extended to October 15th or even later. If the fruits are small, they are left in the garden to ripen until the frost sets in. Small beets:

• does not store well;
• winces quickly;
• begins to rot;
• loses its bright taste qualities.

When the time comes to harvest, you need to carefully dig up the root vegetables on a fine day, clean off any remaining above-ground greenery, and place them in sand or sawdust for long-term storage.

Storage rules

Several methods have been developed for high-quality winter storage of root vegetables. If storing the harvest in a basement is not possible, a plywood or metal box, the size of which depends on the harvest, is made in a living space.

Next:

1. Half of the box is filled with sand.
2. Root crops are placed there so that there is approximately 50-70 mm between them.
3. Sprinkle the vegetables with sand so that the layer above the root crops is at least 300 mm.

With this storage method, the root vegetables don't reach room temperature, preventing pests from reaching them. The boxes are placed in the entryway or on an insulated balcony. Keeping the boxes on an open balcony is prohibited, as this will cause the vegetables to freeze.

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Storage conditions

Having a basement makes storing vegetables easier. The optimal temperature is around 3-7°C. ^OCondensation should not accumulate on the walls and ceiling. Ensure good ventilation in the room, ensuring an adequate supply of oxygen.

You can whitewash them in two layers. To better preserve them in the basement, root vegetables are treated with a weak clay solution. Various preparation ratios are used, but the idea is the same: lumps of clay are diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream, allowing the solution to coat the vegetables and harden. After the clay has dried, the root vegetables are placed on shelves, boxes, or interspersed with sand. When the product is ready for cooking, it is cleaned of the clay, washed, and used for eating.

Is it allowed to store vegetables next to each other?

Carrots and beets can be stored together; there are no specific rules for storing them together. When mixing them with sand, it's important to leave space between the vegetables. They can contaminate each other if they touch. If carrots and beets are normally stored in a basement, it's best to place each variety in separate boxes. When storing in the freezer, or as a prep material for soups, the vegetables can be mixed in a single PE bag or food storage containers.

Grated beets will color the carrots red and release a lot of juice when fried. Therefore, if you plan to fry the side dish, freeze the vegetables separately.

Helpful Tips

If you find a lot of limp carrots during your spring vegetable selection, you can dry them in the sun and plant them in the ground in April or May. Then, in the fall, they'll sprout and produce seeds that can be planted next year. There's no need to buy store-bought seeds. Beet greens can be used as a soup filling instead of throwing them away. Wash, dry, cut into strips, and freeze them. Thaw them as needed and add them to your cooking.

You can add tobacco to the sand where root vegetables are stored. It will repel small worms and beetles that eat the vegetables during winter storage. It's best not to use pest repellents due to their toxicity. In 2020, carrots and beets are harvested in the fall in the Moscow region. The exact harvest time depends on:

• varietal type and ripening time;
• weather, temperature and humidity levels;
• fertilizers and pest control treatments.

To ensure that root vegetables are well preserved, they are kept in a cool place with a temperature of 3-7 ^OWith low humidity. The room is treated for mold and mildew.

Above is the latest information on when to harvest carrots and beets in the Moscow region. Remember that carrots are harvested first, before the frost sets in, while beets can wait until the first snow. It's important to periodically remove the vegetables from the ground to determine if they're ready to harvest. Gardeners' recommendations will help keep your harvest healthy and tasty.