Root Vegetables
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Potatoes
Potatoes require a cool but frost-free growing season. Grow potatoes through the summer in cool northern regions. Grow potatoes in fall, winter, and spring in hot summer southern regions. Quick Potato Growing Tips Plant potatoes as early as 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost in spring or any time after the soil […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Horseradish
Horseradish is grown for its pungent roots. Horseradish is a large-leaved perennial plant. The leaves are smooth with wavy edges. The roots grow long and narrow, sometimes to 2 feet (.6m) long. Horseradish is best grown as an annual. In the second year, horseradish’s large roots can become tough and fibrous. For the best flavor, […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Onions
Onions can be grown for their green immature stems or they can be grown for their mature bulbs. Onions grown for their green stems are called bunching onions. They are also called green onions, spring onions, and scallions. The terms are often used interchangeably. The stems of most onions that produce bulbs can be harvested […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Parsnips
Parsnips are cool-weather biennials grown as an annual. Parsnips taste best if brought to harvest in cool weather. The parsnip is a creamy white root that grows from 4 to 9 inches (10-22cm) long, similar to a carrot in appearance, and tasty like a celery heart. The parsnip is a biennial grown as an annual. […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Carrots
Carrots are among the easiest garden vegetables to grow—and the most bountiful–given the right conditions. Grow carrots in the cool time of the year—spring and autumn. Plant carrots in loose, compost-rich soil free of pebbles, stones, or other obstructions. Carrots Quick Growing Tips Sow carrots in the garden 2 to 3 weeks before the average […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Rutabaga
Rutabaga is a hardy, cool-weather biennial vegetable grown as an annual. Rutabaga is grown for its large swollen root which has a purple or creamy brown or combination of both skin and yellow or white flesh. It is larger, denser, and sweeter than a turnip. Rutabaga has a rosette of smooth, deeply lobed, deep green […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is grown for its swollen base which is actually the plant’s stem. The globe-shaped base develops above the ground. Kohlrabi is a good choice for gardens that don’t have deep soils. Kohlrabi is a hardy biennial grown as an annual. Both the globe base and leaves can be eaten. Kohlrabi is a hardy biennial […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Salsify and Scorzonera
Salsify and scorzonera are cool-weather root crops. Salsify and scorzonera, are sometimes confused. The roots look very similar; salsify has a whitish root; scorzonera has a black root. The roots and leaves of salsify and scorzonera are edible. Salsify is a hardy biennial vegetable grown as an annual. Salsify is grown for its long, tapered, […] More
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Seven Ways to Cook Rutabaga
Rutabaga is tasty served mashed with butter, cream, and spices. Sauté rutabaga in butter with apples and brown sugar, or dice and add rutabaga to vegetable soups and stews. Rutabaga harvest comes from late summer to early spring. How to Choose Rutabaga Rutabagas are a cool-weather vegetable and taste best after the first frost. They […] More
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Best Beets to Grow in Your Garden
Beet roots and greens can be eaten raw, steamed, braised, or stir-fried. Sauté beets for five minutes then steam for five more minutes; combine with onion, cabbage greens, and carrots. Pair beets with fruit: combine sliced steamed beets with chopped apples, toasted walnuts, and fresh greens. Add fresh-cooked, pureed beets to chocolate cake batter for […] More
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Carrots and Color: Best Healthy Varieties to Grow
Carrot color is rich in nutrition. Orange is the most familiar carrot color, but there are many colorful carrots: yellow, red, purple, and white. All are healthy eating. All are easy additions to the home garden. The first domesticated carrots—cultivated in Afghanistan more than 1,100 years ago–were white. Breeding over the past 900 years has […] More
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Beets Growing Calendar and Planting Tips
Beets roots can be eaten raw or cooked and added to salads and soups. Beet greens and thinnings can be eaten raw in salads or cooked much like spinach. Beets Planting Calendar The temperature during the 55 to 90 days it takes to grow beets should remain below 65ºF (18ºC). Spring beet crop Sow beet […] More
Stephen Albert
