In order for carrots to thrive, it makes sense to prick them out. Read here what it is and how it works.
Carrots are popular with children and adults alike. Juice, vegetable side dish or cake - all kinds of things can be made from carrots. They are also ideal for growing in your own garden.
However, carrots are a bit more complex to care for. For example, they have to be pricked out during the growth phase so that they become big and strong. Pricking out means separating the plants for problem-free development. We will now explain exactly how this works.
The correct sowing of the carrots
If you decide to grow from seed, sow the carrots in several rows. A distance of around 20 centimeters between the individual rows must be maintained so that there is enough space.
Introduce the seeds about one to two centimeters deep into the ground. As a rule, not all seeds will sprout and as soon as the first real leaves can be seen after the cotyledons, transplanting can begin.
Pricking out stimulates root growth and gives the plants more space to grow.
Pricking out the carrots
The carrot seedlings have very fine, sensitive roots, which is why pricking them out is not that easy. In any case, you should be very careful not to cut or tear off the roots. So as soon as the first real leaves appear on the young plants, the weakest ones are removed immediately. The stronger seedlings are carefully removed and then placed at least three centimeters apart.
The right tool
Pricking out is easiest with a special pricking stick, also known as a pricking stick. This thin stick is about 18 centimeters long and is pointed at one end and round at the other. The pricking stick can be made of wood, metal or plastic and is available in garden centers for little money. As an alternative to the pricking stick, you can also use the handle of a spoon or a popsicle stick.
Instructions
» Step 1:
Raise the stick all the way upCarefully pick up plantlets that are rooted in one corner and lift them out of the ground.
» Step 2:
Separate the seedlings and discard weak and damaged plants immediately. The roots of the remaining, strong seedlings are shortened a little.
» Step 3:
In the new plant containers, holes are pressed into the ground with the pricking stick, and place the small plants in them. The base of the roots must always be completely below the surface of the earth. The holes are closed again with soil, then press them carefully with your fingers.
» Step 4:
Finally, the plants have to be watered and the transplanting is done. Wasn't that difficult, was it?