Root vegetables, also referred to as underground plants, are characterized by their edible roots, which are often complemented by edible leaves. While the latter are edible, they serve as a secondary component, with the root being the main attraction. Familiar options like carrots, potatoes, garlic, onions, and beets come to mind, but there’s an extensive range of lesser-known varieties waiting to be discovered.
Jerusalem artichokes, rutabagas, celeriac, jicama, and lotus root are just a few examples of the many delicious options available. As a gardener, I find root veggies to be some of my favorites due to their excitement factor during harvest time. They’re also perfect for fall cooking, as they can add a cozy touch to dishes like stews. Additionally, they possess an impressive shelf life, making them a great choice for storing and enjoying throughout the seasons.
Challenges of Growing Underground Plants
Growing underground plants, such as root vegetables, poses several challenges that require patience and understanding of the soil and growing conditions. One of the biggest hurdles is not being able to see the progress until harvest time, which can be frustrating when you’re eager to know if your efforts are paying off. For example, potatoes remain hidden from view until they’re dug up, making it tempting to get a glimpse ahead of schedule.
However, this premature digging can disrupt the growth process and ultimately affect the outcome. Instead, it’s crucial to have faith that what’s happening beneath the surface is taking shape as planned. Another challenge lies in creating optimal soil conditions for root vegetables. Factors like rocky or dense soil, excess nitrogen, or imbalanced nutrient levels can all impact the quality of your harvest.
For instance, deformed carrots are a common result of growing them in rocky soil, while plants with excess nitrogen may grow big and leafy but struggle to develop their underground growth. In addition, root vegetables are notoriously finicky when it comes to transplantation. The process disrupts the delicate root system, leading to potential growth problems. Direct sowing is generally preferred for these types of plants, but even that approach has its limitations.
Sowing too early may result in unfavorable weather conditions, while direct seeding can be vulnerable to pests and other hazards. To mitigate these risks, using netting to protect your young seedlings and encourage healthy germination rates can be a game-changer. When the stars align and growing conditions are perfect, however, many root vegetables are surprisingly easy to grow and can be savored from top to bottom.
Why Grow Root Vegetables?
Root vegetables are an excellent choice for a spring or fall harvest due to their exceptional nutritional value, versatility, and space-efficiency. One of the most compelling reasons to grow root veggies is their ability to absorb a wealth of essential nutrients from the earth, making them a nutritious addition to any meal.
Not only do they provide a boost of vitamins and minerals, but they’re also remarkably low in calories, making them an ideal choice for those looking to maintain a healthy weight without sacrificing flavor. In addition to the edible roots, many root vegetables also produce leaves that are just as nutritious and can be used as a substitute for other leafy greens. This added value makes root veggies an attractive option for gardeners with limited space or seeking to maximize their harvest.
Finally, most root vegetables require little room in the garden, making them an excellent choice for small-scale growers or those looking to fill gaps between larger plants. For example, carrots can be grown at a density of 16 per square foot, allowing for maximum yield from minimal space.
General Care Tips
Proper watering habits are essential to ensure the roots of your plants don’t split. To promote healthy root growth, it’s vital to thin out seedlings at an early stage. This will give them the space they need to develop a robust root system. Additionally, selecting disease-resistant varieties can help minimize the risk of pest and disease issues. Another key strategy is to mulch around your plants, particularly in hot weather conditions, as this helps conserve moisture.
Finally, make sure to remove weeds promptly to prevent competition for nutrients with your root vegetables.
Types of Root Veggies and How to Grow Them
Carrots
Carrots, aside from potatoes, are one of the most widely cultivated underground plants. This versatile veggie can be prepared in a variety of ways, including roasting, boiling, mashing, grating, juicing, and even eating them raw. Despite their popularity, carrots are relatively easy to grow, requiring only a modest amount of space and suitable soil conditions. The leafy tops can be used to make pesto or added as a garnish to various dishes.
To ensure optimal growth, carrots require consistent moisture and well-draining soil. Root deformation is a common issue when the soil is too dry or waterlogged, so even watering is crucial. Carrots are generally low-maintenance in terms of pests and diseases, except for carrot fly infestations. Swallowtail butterflies may also lay their eggs on plants in the carrot family (including parsley), which can lead to foliage damage by caterpillars.
However, these butterflies do provide a service by pollinating other plants in your garden. One of the biggest challenges when growing carrots is slow germination. The tiny seeds take time to sprout, and it’s easy to waste them due to their small size. Early thinning is essential, but it can be tricky when seedlings emerge slowly. If you’re unsure whether your seeds are simply slow to sprout or too old to germinate, try pre-sprouting your carrot seeds to increase your chances of success.
Potatoes
The experience of growing my first batch of potatoes was nothing short of astonishing. Who would have thought that some humble pantry spuds could sprout and thrive when planted in the ground? I recall filling old recycling bins with dirt, only to watch them overflow with lush foliage. However, my excitement was tempered by the fact that I couldn’t see what was happening beneath the surface.
In reality, potatoes are a finicky bunch, requiring slightly acidic fertile soil and the right conditions for hilling. As you build up the soil around the tubers, the roots spread out and produce those coveted spuds. Without this process, your yield will likely be minimal. I’ve also found that adding straw to my potato bags serves as an effective mulch, keeping the soil fluffy and healthy. Of course, there are some unique challenges to consider when growing potatoes.
One of the biggest hurdles is figuring out when it’s time to harvest them. It can be a guessing game, with no clear indication that the moment has arrived. And then, there’s the mystery of what’s happening beneath the soil. You might be treated to a stunning display of leaves and flowers, only to discover that your potatoes have failed to materialize. This is often due to high nitrogen levels in the soil, which encourage leaf growth at the expense of root development.
Additionally, potatoes require more space than some other plants, making it essential to plan ahead if you’re not willing to dedicate an entire bed to their cultivation. Consider growing them in bags or large containers instead – a great way to get around these challenges and still enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Beets
I’m enamored with beets for their intricate flavor profile that’s unmatched among garden vegetables. Among my favorite ways to enjoy beets is in a tangy pickled form, which I always have on hand to savor during the colder months. There’s something reassuring about biting into a sweet and sour pickled beet, reminiscent of my childhood experiences with this beloved ingredient.
One fascinating aspect of beets is their versatility – did you know that you can also consume the leaves?
As it turns out, beet greens closely resemble those of Swiss chard, sharing a similar taste profile. Feel free to substitute them in any dish that calls for chard.
When it comes to cultivating beets, there are certain needs that must be met. As a cool-season crop, they thrive when sown early in the spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest. To encourage robust bulb growth, thin seeds early on and ensure consistent watering and full sun exposure.
Beets can also tolerate partial shade, although their growth will be slower.
In addition to these general guidelines, there are unique challenges to consider when growing beets. For instance, they don’t produce bulbs properly in high-nitrogen soils – too much nitrogen causes the plant to focus on foliage production instead. It’s essential to harvest beets promptly to avoid them becoming tough and bitter over time. Interestingly, a period of frost can actually sweeten their flavor.
Rutabaga
Rutabagas, a hybrid of cabbage and turnip, often go unnoticed despite their unique characteristics. This intriguing root vegetable is more than just a larger turnip, as many assume. In fact, it’s a distinct entity with a flavor profile that sets it apart from its turnip counterpart. For instance, rutabagas have a sweeter and nuttier taste, making them an excellent addition to stews and other dishes.
If you’re interested in learning more about this enigmatic vegetable, I suggest reading Helen Rosner’s thought-provoking article on the subject. When it comes to growing rutabagas, they require certain conditions to thrive. Specifically, they need full sun and fertile soil, as well as adequate water supply during the peak summer season when the weather can become drier than usual. Furthermore, rutabagas are susceptible to a few unique challenges that gardeners should be aware of.
As members of the brassica family, they’re vulnerable to the cabbage moth’s larvae, which can quickly skeletonize young plants if left unchecked. To mitigate this issue, use row covers to prevent infestations and ensure early coverage of your plants.
Turnip
While I may not be a huge fan of turnips myself, it’s undeniable that they hold a special place in many people’s hearts. The miniature varieties that I receive in my CSA basket every year are a pleasant surprise, but the larger ones just don’t quite cut it for me. That being said, I do appreciate the versatility and hardiness of turnips. They can thrive in full sun, making them an excellent choice for gardeners looking to grow a variety of vegetables.
In fact, turnips in zones 7 and above can even be overwintered, allowing for a longer harvest period. When it comes to soil quality, turnips prefer fertile ground that’s well-draining. It’s also essential to thin the seedlings once they’re large enough, ensuring each plant has the space it needs to grow. One of the unique challenges of growing turnips is protecting them from hungry insects. As with other brassicas, these vegetables are particularly susceptible to damage from pests.
If left unchecked, a crop can be destroyed in a matter of days. Another consideration is the impact that weather and soil conditions can have on the flavor and texture of turnips. If they’re left in the ground too long or grown in extremely hot conditions, their natural pungency can become overpowering – an acquired taste to say the least. To enjoy a more delicate flavor, it’s essential to grow turnips when the weather is cool and to ensure consistent watering.
Parsnip
While parsnips are a staple of fall vegetable gardens, they can be a challenging crop for novice gardeners. However, with persistence and proper care, the rewards are well worth the effort. In fact, parsnips are best enjoyed after they’ve been kissed by frost, which adds to their natural sweetness. To grow parsnips successfully, one needs to provide them with similar conditions to carrots – regular weeding and consistent moisture.
However, there are some unique challenges to overcome when growing parsnip seeds. For instance, germination can be a slow process, taking up to a month to occur. Once sprouted, patience is still required as the seedlings develop at their own pace.
Additional Options
In addition to the usual suspects like lettuce, spinach, and peas, you can also cultivate a diverse array of underground edibles, including Jerusalem artichokes, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, kohlrabi, yuca, ginger, radishes, celeriac, jicama, and lotus root. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste buds and growing style.
