Characteristics of the 'Queen of Autumn' carrot variety

The late-ripening carrot variety "Queen of Autumn" is considered one of the most popular among vegetable growers in the central part of the country. Even inexperienced gardeners can easily grow this crop in their garden, as it is disease-resistant and produces an excellent yield. Therefore, every farmer will benefit from familiarizing themselves with the properties of the "Queen of Autumn" carrot.

Description and properties

The "Autumn Queen" carrot variety is a late-ripening crop—harvesting occurs in mid-autumn. The plant is characterized by a spreading rosette of leaves and medium-sized leaves. The fruits are regularly shaped and reach 30 centimeters in length. Each vegetable can weigh between 160 and 200 grams. The carrot flesh has a traditional orange hue and is juicy, firm, and sweet.

The variety contains a high percentage of carotene, and its long growing season (117-130 days) allows for successful storage over the winter. Moreover, the root vegetable retains its varietal characteristics until spring. This autumn-fruiting variety produces late fruiting. Farmers note that carrots produce a good harvest even when sown early in the summer. However, residents of northern regions recommend avoiding summer planting, citing the high risk of damage to the roots from the first severe frosts.

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However, this is a misconception. This variety easily tolerates temperatures as low as minus four degrees Celsius.

Like many other late-ripening varieties, "Autumn Queen" is extremely productive. A 1x1 bed can yield up to 3.5-9 kilograms of orange, conical roots. They measure 20-30 centimeters and weigh up to 250 grams. The carrot flesh contains a significant amount of sugar. Furthermore, It has the following distinctive properties:

1. Juiciness.
2. Saturation.
3. Rich taste.

Even with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, this variety does not suffer from flowering. Another important advantage of "Autumn Queen" is its root crop's resistance to cracking.

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Advantages of the variety

One of the most well-known root vegetables is the "Queen of Autumn" carrot. This crop offers numerous advantages. These include:

1. High yield. With proper care and under suitable conditions, fruiting rates reach 9 kg/m2.
2. Effective germination and uniform ripening.
3. Attractive appearance and excellent taste.
4. Resistant to phenomena such as cracking with balanced watering.
5. Excellent immune system resistance to all kinds of diseases, including fungal and infectious pathologies.
6. Long-term storage without loss of varietal properties.
7. Versatile. The root vegetable can be served fresh, used to make juices, purees, and even winter preserves.

But besides the advantages, the variety also has its weaknesses.These include the following:

1. Different sizes of root vegetables.
2. Certain difficulties in removing long vegetables from dense substrate.
3. Lack of intense color saturation.

Subtleties of cultivation

To successfully grow this vegetable, it's important to consider planting and care guidelines. First, find a suitable site and time for planting. It should be level and well-lit. Any partial shade, low-lying areas, or areas prone to flooding are unsuitable for growing this crop.

The optimal soil type should be a lightweight, permeable, yet fertile substrate. Carrots grow very poorly in heavy clay soil. The growing area should be dug first and then thoroughly raked. At this stage, any clods of soil should be broken up as much as possible, allowing the "Queen of Autumn" to grow smooth and beautifully. Large clods or stones in the bed will cause the carrots to become deformed or unsightly.

"Autumn Queen" is characterized by a long period of seedling formation and subsequent maturation. Therefore, vegetable growers need to time their planting accordingly, based on the expected harvest time. If fresh fruit is expected to arrive in late September, it's best to sow the seeds in late May. In southern regions, the variety is sown in June. This will allow for an excellent harvest by mid-autumn.

Sowing seeds

Carrot seeds are small and dark in color, making sowing somewhat challenging. It can sometimes be challenging for farmers to evenly distribute the seeds across the furrow. Carrots are slow to germinate: the seeds may not germinate for a long time. To speed up this process and stimulate germination, experienced gardeners use a variety of methods.

First, they soak the seeds in warm water before planting them in the soil. Then, they wrap the seeds in a damp cloth and leave them overnight to swell. After this process, the seeds will double in size. While soaking, be careful not to allow the soaked seeds to sprout. Otherwise, they will be damaged.

The prepared seed material is thoroughly dried and then sown into the ground. This is done in the following ways:

1. Sowing with sand. Dried seeds are mixed with sandy soil in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. Using light-colored sand will allow for easy monitoring of the seedings and ensure they are evenly distributed.
2. Sowing with paste. This method involves boiling a tablespoon of starch and 1.5 tablespoons of flour in a liter of hot water. One to two tablespoons of seeds are added to this amount of paste, after which the mixture is poured into a watering can or a bottle with a narrow neck, and then applied to the desired area.
3. Sowing on paper strips. This method eliminates the need for pre-soaking the seeds. Simply cut long strips of toilet paper or newspaper, then make a thick paste using two tablespoons of starch and half a liter of water. Glue the seeds to the paper at intervals of two to three centimeters. Dry the strips and roll them into rolls. This process is best done in winter, when you have plenty of free time. When spring arrives, simply unroll the strips in the beds and cover them with soil.

Proper care

After successfully sowing the seeds, it's important to provide the crop with proper care and attention. First and foremost, the seedbeds should be thoroughly watered. During prolonged droughts, it's recommended to install automatic sprinklers to restore soil moisture and prevent the seedlings from drying out. From the moment the seeds are sown until the first true leaves appear, the substrate should be kept sufficiently moist. Subsequently, watering frequency can be reduced to once every 7 days. A month before harvest, watering should be less frequent and less abundant.

This variety is known for its large roots, so it requires regular thinning. Ignoring this will cause the plants to become self-stunted, meaning a good harvest is a distant prospect. The first thinning is done when the roots reach 2-3 true leaves. The second thinning is done when the roots reach the thickness of a pencil. Leave at least 5-6 centimeters of space between plants.

Throughout the growing season, the variety requires mineral fertilization. These treatments are carried out two to four times. The first two treatments are carried out a few days after thinning, and used as a fertilizer Nitroammophoska. Dry fertilizers are scattered over the bed and watered thoroughly. Other fertilizers should be potassium-based. This is necessary for the full development of strong and healthy root crops. Fertilizing should be suspended 30 days before harvest.

It's important to note that this variety doesn't respond well to fresh manure as fertilizer. This makes the crop unsightly and unfit for consumption. Root crops fertilized with manure are more susceptible to attack by carrot flies and other pests.

Pest control and harvesting

An important step in the proper care of the crop is the fight against diseases and pestsAlthough the variety is considered resistant to such pests, it is occasionally attacked by carrot fly. This insect's activity is accompanied by the appearance of red-purple spots on the rhizome. Preventative measures include thoroughly loosening the bed to prevent shade and stagnant water. Any pests that appear are removed by spraying with insecticides.

If the summer season was excessively rainy, rot may appear on carrots. In this case, prevention involves establishing crop rotation (planting carrots in the same bed no sooner than two years later). A good preventative measure is creating raised beds to prevent water from stagnating in one place for too long.

In most cases, "Koroleva" is grown for long-term fresh storage over the winter. To ensure long-term storage of the harvest, several rules must be followed. Harvesting should begin no earlier than four months after sowing. Carrots must be fully ripe. Vegetable growers claim that the later the fruits are harvested, the longer they will last.

Harvesting should begin in dry weather, without any precipitation or frost. At this stage, the roots are cleaned of any adhering soil and allowed to dry. Only healthy specimens, free from rot or disease, should be stored. The best storage temperature is between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius.

Reviews from summer residents

Reviews of the "Autumn Queen" carrot are rarely negative. Gardeners note only the crop's strengths, drawing on their personal experience and recommendations from colleagues.

The "Queen of Autumn" carrot is one of the most promising varieties for home growing. With a few considerations and patience, you can grow a truly healthy and productive crop that will delight everyone with delicious root vegetables throughout the winter season.