Root Crops

I asked a farmer friend who said that she always learned that you should plant daikon as a fall crop, not a spring crop. This should prevent any breakage, but don't be too afraid to break the rules!

Although most nutritional calculations are based upon the measurements of cooked pulp, the edible skins of sweet potatoes are highly nutritious and are eaten with enthusiasm in many households.

Carrots are a favorite of munching rabbits, groundhogs and deer. For smaller, shorter carrots, you won't need a pot quite as deep, but again, the wider the pot's diameter, the more carrots you can grow.

Beets prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8, so be sure to get a soil test every few years and adjust the pH as necessary. This means multiple plants arise from each planted seed, making thinning absolutely necessary.

The best soil pH for shallots is between 5.5 and 6.5, but other than that, shallots aren't overly picky about soil conditions, as long as there's good drainage. If they protrude above the soil line, just leave them be.

Because radishes mature just 30 days after planting, this is a tasty, fast-maturing crop that belongs in every vegetable garden. The queen of the spring garden, radishes thrive in cold temperatures.

If you can put a little extra work into your soil, you, too, can grow great fennel. In the classic book Carrots Love Tomatoes (Storey Publishing, 1998), author Louise Riotte states soberly, “Most plants dislike fennel.” She even goes on to add fennel...

I wasn't going to plant potatoes in the garden this year, but when I went to the nursery in May and saw the baskets of seed potatoes lined up on the shelf, I couldn't resist. That's a lot of spuds! If you grow potatoes and you don't harvest new potatoes,...

In short order, you'll have a large patch to share with friends and family. I invariably pick a day that is too cold to grind the roots outside. As you harvest and thin, the plants become more robust and more healthy, spreading out into the space their...

Bolt resistant varieties are perfect for beginners. Soil requirements: Rich, fertile soil, high in nitrogen. Soil pH should be 6.5 to 7.5. When to plant: Direct-seed in very early spring (ideal soil temperatures for germination are between 55 and 65 degrees).

The soil area from which phosphorous can be absorbed is limited to a very small space around the root itself. On the other hand, if the soil gets too wet in the later stages of root development, carrots will split open and might show signs of rot.

Radishes will bolt (or flower) when the days begin to lengthen in late spring and the temperatures get warmer. The tastiest harvests occur when the roots are quarter-sized. It will be readily available come spring.

Honestly, in the sale bin they look to me like ginger without all the armor. If you want to eat them raw, you can slice them like a water chestnut to add to salads. Unfortunately, if you dig up all the sunchokes at once and attempt to store them , their...

With so many delightful varieties, it's easy to see why people include members of the exceptional Apiaceae family in their market-garden offerings. (Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in rows 12 to 24 inches apart.) Start with fresh seed —this is imperative for...

Produce storage: Store roots unwashed just above freezing at a high humidity (a root cellar is ideal) for several months. Optimum phosphorus levels promote growth of all root crops.

Over-fertilization can likewise lead to disaster, leaving you with big beautiful plants and no fruit. Sweet Potatoes Wally Hartshorn/Flickr Why They're Easy Sweet potatoes aren't picky.

If these are seen, remove the infected plants from the garden and preferably from the farm. Storing Rutabagas Store rutabagas at 32 degrees F and high humidity for up to six months.

Artichokes ( Cynara scolymus ) do best where temperatures are consistent year-round because the plants are susceptible to freezing. The plant is doing beautifully, but now it's time to get serious about seeing it safely through the winter.

It will take several months for the seedlings to show signs of ample growth, but by the time early autumn arrives, the bulbous roots begin to swell rapidly. Butter salt and pepper to taste 2 T.

Instead, store them right in the garden. And that category is: Awesome. That's like saying you don't like tomatoes when all you've ever eaten is one of those cardboard pith-fests from the grocery store.

Keep Pests Away Radishes can be targets for several different pests . “That's because transplanting these plants will usually result in damage to the tap root, causing a misshapen or forked root.” To plant, broadcast the seeds over the soil surface...

This creamy white carrot is mild-flavored and tender. Japanese White Eggplant Beautiful, egg-shaped fruits are produced on heavy-yielding plants. The sweetness of the flesh is accentuated by hints of pineapple and citrus.

Purchasing certified disease-free seed potatoes at the start of each season avoids this problem. To prevent greening, hill your potato plants. Work Methodically: Start around the outside of the hill and work your way closer to the base of the plant.

My favorite way to use homegrown rutabagas is as a mash. Give this humble vegetable a try. Sow the seeds in rows spaced 8-12 inches apart. Tags The Dirt on Gardening How To Prepare Rutabagas To harvest rutabagas, simply pull the roots from the ground...

For best flavor, pull or dig roots when they are 3-5 inches in diameter. A heavy straw mulch will extend your harvest into early winter. In spring, plant two inches apart — 1/2 inch deep — into loose soil with plenty of organic matter.

I'm so excited to grow this variety! Get more help growing your favorite crops on HobbyFarms.com: How to Grow Beans How to Grow Okra How to Grow Tomatoes How to Grow Pumpkins How to Grow Radishes « More Dirt on Gardening » Tags carrots , garden , Lists

When I plant my seed potatoes directly into the garden instead of in raised beds, I have to wait a few extra weeks before planting them, just to make sure the soil has properly dried out before I settle the seed potatoes into the ground.