Getting to the Root is No Problem – Growing Root Vegetables

I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but we have been having very autumnal temperatures this last week.  I know it’s only a couple of weeks to a month (at best) until I’m pulling our tomato and pepper plants out.  Have you started planning or planting your fall garden yet?  We’ve got a few carrots into the ground, some lettuce, and some peas.  The cucumbers were completely eaten again!  But one thing that is consistent among fall gardens is that they usually contain root vegetables.  There are even veggies that you can plant in October and allowed to overwinter for a spring harvest.

Tristan is a gardener from “Down Under” and has some great tips for growing root veggies this fall.

Root vegetables and how to grow them

Growing root vegetables, such as beetroot carrots or potatoes, poses a unique problem. Because root vegetables grow completely out of sight, often you don’t know if there are any problems till it’s time to harvest. When the time does come, however, there is no better feeling. Digging for hidden produce is similar to treasure hunting and something enjoyed by people of all ages.

All root crops like well-drained, loose, fertile soil: 

Loose fertile soil is essential for root veggies and most grow well in raised garden beds as it drains well and is less dense. Soil quality is important as quality soil allows plants to grow faster gaining access to essential nutrients and moisture. Another great benefit of a raised garden is that it prevents individuals from walking on them and causing damage to your produce.

Sunlight

Even though your root veggies grow underground, they still require sunlight. When deciding a place for your root veggies, it’s important that the spot receives around 6 hours of sun a day. If your unable to find a place in your garden that gets a day’s sun, you are still in luck, it will just take longer for your plants to grow.

Maintaining your patch

Ensuring your root vegetable garden receives the right amount of moisture and feed that it needs is important. Soil for root veggies should be moist however not wet. Mulching your plot is a great way to ensure moisture stays within your soil. It’s a win-win as it also prevents weed growth and keeps the soil warm. Weeds when not taken care of, take over quickly, and weaken your yield. Weeding is best done by hand for root crops as it prevents the crops from being damaged.

Feeding your crops 

When feeding your crops, it’s important to understand how much of each ingredient it will need, watch out for the nitrogen as it can stunt root growth if too much is applied. It’s best to fertilize your crops every month with an organic fertilizer such as compost or manure.

Spacing

When sowing seeds – even root vegetables – it’s often hard to get the correct spacing and sometimes it’s better to plant a few more seeds and work backward. When shoots begin to show, thin out the young seedlings when they’re 3 to 4 weeks old by pulling them out or snipping them until they’re properly spaced. Spacing is important as it allows for a solid harvest and prevents plants from jeopardizing each other. When planting seeds refer to the packet for spacing requirements.

• Radishes: 2 inches (5 cm) of space per plant, 12 inches (30 cm) of space between rows.
• Beets: 3 inches (7.5 cm) of space per plant, 12 inches (30 cm) of space between rows.
• Turnips: 6 inches (15 cm) of space between plants, 12 inches (30 cm) of space between rows.
• Carrots and parsnips: 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between plants, 12 inches (30 cm) of space between rows.

Harvesting Root Vegetables

Growing any produce is incredibly rewarding, I find myself always learning something new regardless of what I’m growing. When it comes time to harvest your root veggies, I have found this is best done with a pitchfork or by hand. If you use a pitchfork be sure to slowly dig around the outside of your plants protecting your produce. If you doing it by hand, dig around the base of the plant and sure enough, you will stumble across gold. This is an exciting time and something everyone enjoys.

Tristan is a writer from Sydney Gardeners and is passionate about sustainability and the environment. His passion has grown from his experience working in nature.

What About You?

Do you have any tips and tricks for planting and harvesting a bountiful amount of root veggies in the fall?  What are your favorite root vegetables to grow in the fall?  Please share them with us below in the comments, so that we can all be better prepared.

Together lets Love, Learn, Practice, and Overcome.