Root vegetables

Carrots are a type of root vegetable

All the root vegetables are those that are grown for its root, as its name indicates, since it is edible. This can have a very variable shape, color and flavor. For example, carrots are long and orange; instead the onions are rounded.

How are they grown? When you want to have some of these plants, it is very important to take into account their nutritional needs, since in order to develop normally, the environment in which they grow must be fertile.

Root vegetable cultivation

Root vegetables are plants that, unlike lettuces for example, they develop much better when kept in the ground, or in very deep pots. It is possible to have them in containers that are wider than they are tall, but this is inadvisable as the roots would not grow enough, and therefore the harvest would not be what we expected.

With this in mind, a few things need to be prepared before growing them. In this way, we will achieve that the plants grow strongly, and that their roots are of great quality. So without further ado, let's see how to grow them:

Siembra

Sow your root vegetables in seed trays

These plants generally multiply by seed in spring. The ideal is to do it in seedling trays (for sale here) in order to have them controlled, using substrates such as mulch (for sale here), or if we prefer one for urban garden (for sale here). With any of them, our plants will be able to grow well during their first weeks, as they are soils that absorb water and retain it for a while; in addition, its nutrients will be absorbed by the roots.

The step by step to follow is the following:

  1. First of all, the tray is filled with the substrate.
  2. Afterwards, you have to water conscientiously.
  3. Then, put one or two seeds in each socket.
  4. Then cover them with a little substrate.
  5. Finally, place the seedbed in semi-shade or in full sun.
  6. OPTIONAL, but highly recommended: put the seedling tray inside a larger tray that does not have holes. Thus, when you have to water, you will only have to pour water into this last tray, keeping the seeds protected and in place.

Transplant

Transplant it will be done immediately that you see that the roots appear through the holes of the seedbed, which is when the plants already have 3 or 4 pairs of true leaves (but in some cases it is earlier, so it is advisable to check it from time to time). It should not be transplanted ahead of time, since if it is done there is a risk that the roots, still fragile, may be damaged.

To get them out of the seedbed, simply you have to water conscientiously the day before or that morning, and extract the seedlings. If you have them in a seedling tray, with the fingers of one hand you can press up; in this way it will come out practically alone. In the case that it is in a pot, you have the option of laying the container down and removing the plant, or of tapping its sides so that the soil "detaches" from the walls and can come out.

Now you have two options: plant it in an individual pot, or in the ground.

… To a bigger pot

If you want to grow your root vegetable in a pot, the container needs to be deep. But be careful: you don't have to put it in a big one now, because if you did it is possible that it would end up dying from excess moisture. So to be correctly, you will have to transplant it several times, putting it in an increasingly larger pot.

Do it as follows:

  1. First, you have to fill the pot with universal substrate or mulch.
  2. Then water.
  3. Then, make a hole in the center with your fingers for example.
  4. Next, insert the plant.
  5. Finally, finish filling the pot and, if you see it necessary, water again.

Place the plant outside, and in an area where it will be exposed to the sun.

... to the orchard

Root vegetables are recommended to plant in the garden

In case you want to grow root vegetables in the garden, you have to follow this step by step:

  1. First of all and most important is to prepare the ground. Remove the stones, the grass, fertilize it with manure from herbivorous animals (chicken or cow for example, if it is possible that it is dry).
  2. Then, mix the compost with the soil with a rake, and take the opportunity to level the soil a bit.
  3. Now is the time to install the irrigation system, which we advise to be drip to make the most of the water.
  4. The next step is not mandatory but it is highly recommended, and is to put an anti-weed mesh (for sale here). This will prevent weeds from growing between your crops.
  5. Then, plant your plants at a distance of about 20 inches each, in rows spaced at least 30 inches apart.
  6. Finally, water.

Plant care and maintenance

Once they are in their pots or on the ground, you must take care of them. Root vegetables generally have a slow growth rate, but that doesn't mean they don't require nutrients or water. So that they do not lack anything, it is necessary that a series of tasks be carried out:

  • Irrigation: the frequency of irrigation will depend on many factors, such as the weather. Thus, in the warmest and driest areas it is necessary to water often, but if it rains regularly it will not be necessary to water as much. In case you are in doubt, check the moisture of the soil with a meter or by inserting a wooden stick all the way to the bottom.
  • Subscriber: throughout the season it is highly advisable to fertilize root vegetables, always with organic fertilizers, such as guano (for sale here), compost or cow manure.
  • Pest prevention: the placement of yellow sticky traps (for sale here) and others of blue color (for sale No products found.), as well as the preventive treatment with diatomaceous earth (which will have to be spread around the plant, and from time to time on it and that you can buy here), will help keep it protected from numerous insects potentially dangerous to it, such as aphids, mealybugs or spider mites.
  • Weed removalNot only because they compete with root vegetables, but also because they can become shelters for insects that can become pests.

Types of root vegetables

We have talked about cultivation and care, but… what are root vegetables? And when are they sown? In this list you have some:

Celery

Celery is an edible herbaceous

El celery, whose scientific name is Apium graveolens, It is a plant of about 30 centimeters high, widely cultivated for its root, which is large, about 20 centimeters, and bulbous. Its ideal sowing time is in winter, although it can really be grown all year round.

Garlic

Garlic are bulbs

El it, whose scientific name is Allium sativum, it is a bulbous perennial that grows to a height of 30 centimeters. Its roots go deep at least 50 centimeters, so it needs either soil or a very deep pot. The bulb is divided into numerous edible segments or teeth. It is sown in winter (mid or late).

French Fries

Sweet potatoes are roots suitable for consumption

Image - Wikimedia / Llez

La potato, whose scientific name is Ipomoea batatas, is an evergreen climbing plant that can measure 4 or more meters in height. It produces lilac flowers usually during the spring, but what interests us are its roots: these are elongated and thick. It is sown in spring.

Onion

Onions are bulbs that can be eaten without problems

La onion, whose scientific name is Allium cepaIt is a bulbous biennial cycle herbaceous plant. It grows up to 150 centimeters in height, and during its first year of life it produces an edible bulb of about 4 centimeters in diameter. Like garlic, it is sown in winter, although it can also be done in early spring.

Leek

Leeks are biennial herbs

El leek, whose scientific name is Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum, is a biennial herbaceous plant that can measure approximately one meter in height. Produces a small white bulb with an onion-like flavor, and it is sown in winter.

Radish

Radish roots are bulbous and red

El radish, whose scientific name is Raphanus sativusIt is an annual or biennial plant that reaches an approximate height of 20 to 100 centimeters. It produces taproots which are eaten as a vegetable. It is grown throughout the year, although it is advisable to sow more in spring.

Carrot

Carrots are long, tuberous roots

La carrot, whose scientific name is Daucus carota, is a biennial herbaceous plant that develops a characteristic napiform root of orange, yellowish, whitish or purple color depending on the variety. For a perfect harvest, we recommend sowing the seeds in early spring.

As you can see, there are many types of root vegetables. Its cultivation is simple, but we hope that this article has been useful to you to get healthy plants.


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