What Gives Root Beer Its Flavor

Curing Purple Sweet Potatoes Much like all sweet potato varieties, purple types need to be cured before long-term storage. This crop is intolerant to even light frosts. Sweet potatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil pH—somewhere between 5.5 and 6.5 is...

I didn't even realize I was breaking the rules this past March when I planted daikon radish in spring. Instead, grab the radish where it meets the soil, and twist the root gently as if unscrewing it from the ground.

Carrots are a favorite of munching rabbits, groundhogs and deer. Like all root crops, carrots use a lot of phosphorous during their growth. When you grow carrots in containers, the roots are less likely to come into contact with these pests.

This means multiple plants arise from each planted seed, making thinning absolutely necessary. Young beet greens can be harvested and used fresh in salads. For the earliest harvest, sow beet seeds indoors, under grow lights, four to six weeks before transplanting...

Shallot bulbs are fully winter hardy, so as long as you leave some behind, you'll have a continuous crop, always ready to flavor your next breakfast omelet. Shallots are most commonly grown from sets purchased from your local garden center or farmers...

I love the flavor and texture of roasted beets. I pick them when they're the size of a ping-pong ball and enjoy them roasted or mashed. I harvest some roots in the baby stage while I allow the rest to reach maturity.

It is important to avoid freshly harvested sweet potatoes being exposed to the sun for more than 1 hour. Yam tubers, which grow up to 8 feet long and weigh 100 pounds, are generally larger than sweet potatoes, which average less than 1 foot in length...

You can cut the rest of the fronds a couple inches above the bulb if you would like, but some growers prefer leaving the fronds on for market. With that in mind, it wouldn't be a bad idea to mulch your fennel once it's established to retain moisture and...

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,...

Some dislike its tendency to spread, but how can it spread when you're eating it with abandon? Fresh horseradish root is extremely aromatic and very healthy. I begin my love affair with this crop when its leaves begin in the spring.

Bolt resistant varieties are perfect for beginners. Size: 10 to 12 inches Sunlight requirements: Full sun (will tolerate partial shade) Water requirements: About 1 inch per week—consistent moisture is key, so mulching well is recommended.

Because carrots have a single, thick taproot rather than many small fibrous roots, the zone from which they can absorb phosphorus is relatively small. Carrots are not drought-tolerant and will sometimes fork, gnarl or turn pithy if the soil gets too dry.

Make these radish recipes from HobbyFarms.com: Bread-and-Butter Pickled Radishes Buttermilk-Braised Radishes Spring Dip with Cucumber, Chives and Radishes Wild Pickled Fennel and Radish Slaw Radish Butter « More Dirt on Gardening » Tags radish , radishes...

If you would like to keep digging through the winter months, cover the area with a thick mulch to keep the ground from freezing. Let me tell you why you want to keep an eye out next time.

Crop rotation is vital to reduce risk of soil depletion and the incidence of diseases, such as root-knot nematodes, black rot and powdery mildew. The date of maturity depends on the variety, but it is usually between 60 and 75 days.

Can harvest throughout the winter when provided with a protective mulch. Where to plant: Garden; containers When to harvest: 55 days after seeding, when roots are 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

So long as there is a little compost and some loose, well-drained soil to grow in, potatoes will form. Veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, beets and carrots thrive in the cooler temperatures.

Harvesting Rutabagas Rutabagas gain their classic sweetness after a couple frosts so try not to harvest until the plants have had a good chill or three. Rutabagas have been known to grow well after or with onions, peas or beans .

Next I found all the sturdy roots fanning out from the trunk had been chopped off at five inches. Pay special attention to the watering of such plants, as the root zone conditions are what will often make or break this plant.

If you follow a few simple guidelines, baskets full of crisp, peppery radishes will find their way to the dinner table or market in a mere 30 days. When the appropriate planting time arrives, begin by preparing the soil.

Extremely crisp and high yielding White Wonder should be picked when the fruits are 6 to 8 inches long. This is an old variety with a mild, crisp flavor that, in my opinion, is even better than Icicle.

Planting potatoes in wet soil can lead to rot. It's important to control them , if possible. While most potato varieties do well in various climates, check with your cooperative extension or a few fellow gardeners to discover the best choices for your...

You can also turn them into a creamy soup using the same recipe you use for winter squash soup , except substituting the rutabagas for the squash. Side-dress with an organic, granular fertilizer in mid-summer to boost root size and plant health.

Drain the celeriac (discard the lemon water) and then add the celery, celeriac, potatoes, shallots, and parsley to the pot. The USDA recommends a temperature of 33-40 degrees F with a humidity of 85-90%.If you're having trouble finding celeriac seed locally...

The plant is doing beautifully, but now it's time to get serious about seeing it safely through the winter. I spent a few hours last evening working in my vegetable garden. It was time to harvest the winter squash and pull out the tomato vines.

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. After a few light frosts, you can either cut off the greens, dig up the bulbs, brush off the dirt,...

But while the humble turnip may fall short in the charisma department, it more than makes up for it in flavor. While turnips are famous for their long-term storability , freshly harvested turnips have the best flavor, in my opinion.