Why the tops of carrots turn green and how to avoid it

Probably everyone knows that you shouldn't eat green potatoes because they contain toxic solanine. But carrots also turn green at the top – why does this happen to a vegetable and is it safe?

The answer is given by experts from one of the Ukrainian garden centers. And in fact, it's not so scary.

If you've ever tasted the green top of a root vegetable, you've noticed that it doesn't taste very good – it doesn't have the sweetness characteristic of carrots and is even bitter. The thing is that this part is where red, orange, and yellow plastids (chromoplasts) are transformed into green ones (chloroplasts).

The green parts of the cell are involved in the process of photosynthesis. Their task is to transform light, water, and carbon dioxide into nutrients. However, if the plant is exposed to unfavorable conditions, such as drought, these same chloroplasts contribute to the production of harmful reactive oxygen species.

When do carrots start to turn green at the tip? For example, this is typical for varieties that have an elongated fruit shape. Fruits that protrude too much from the ground can also turn green in this part. Another possibility is that watering exposes the top of the root crop and it begins to turn green. Greening can also be caused by mechanical damage during tillage around the plants.

To prevent the problem, you can take certain preventive measures. Here is what experienced gardeners advise:

• When planning a garden for the season, choose carrot varieties and hybrids that are resistant to the greening of the head;
• in late August – early September, spud carrots 3-5 cm above the soil level;
• loosen the soil on the bed with carrots gently, try not to touch the plants, and cultivate the soil within a radius of 10 cm from them.

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