Growing Your Favourite Root Vegetables

They are called root vegetables for lack of a better generic term, but include both true roots such as tuberous roots and taproots, as well as non-roots such as tubers, rhizomes, corms, bulbs, and hypocotyls.

Root Crops are the first and last vegetables to be harvested and, under proper storage conditions, are available year round. They take up little space, which makes them ideal for small home gardens. They have no definite stage of maturity that must be reached before they are edible, so they are ideal for short-season areas or areas where the length of season is unpredictable.

Vegetable root crops may be eaten at any size. Most species are frost hardy and grow if an early fall frost is followed by warm weather. Soil somewhat protects the edible portion from frost damage.

Carrots, beets, parsnips, radishes, turnips, and rutabagas are the most commonly grown root crops. They all have similar cultural requirements and grow best in cool weather. Since they are hardy, they may be planted early in the spring, and left in the garden until fall. In addition, tops of beets and turnips are commonly used as cooked greens and can be harvested while the plants are young.

Root Crops do best in a sandy soil well supplied with organic matter or garden compost. Remove stones and add extra organic matter to clay soil to make it more friable. Add well-decomposed organic matter in any quantity; however, do not apply fresh manure and uncomposted organic matter in amounts exceeding 10 cubic feet (1/3 cu m) per 1,000 square feet (9 sq m).

The amount of sunlight your crop receives is also essential to the amount of food produced. The root is the storage area for the energy produced by the leaves. The more sun the more energy produced, and the larger the root. Plant your root vegetables in the sunniest part of your garden.

Root Crops require more phosphorus and less nitrogen than nonroot Crops. An application of 1 pound  (1/2 kg) of nitrogen (N) and 2 pounds (1 kg) of phosphate per 1,000 square feet (9 sq m) is recommended. When starting a new Garden, and every five years thereafter, it is a good idea to have a soil test.

Potatoes in the North and sweetpotatoes in the South are grown in almost every garden. Beets, carrots, and turnips are also widely grown in gardens. The vegetables in this group may be used throughout the growing season and also be kept for winter.