Save some garden space to grow root vegetables

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Many years ago root vegetables were a large part of the ‘veggie patch.’

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Now is the time to revisit this and enjoy growing and eating the fresh, homegrown vegetables all summer and using them stored or preserved during the winter.

The common ones are carrots, parsnip, turnip, rutabaga, beets and radishes. It is wise to plan a rotation to regulate diseases.

Carrots and parsnips of the Apiaceae family can be planted when the soil is soft enough, even before the last frost. Seeds to buy for sandy soil can be a long-rooted type, one is Imperator. For clay soil you will need a short-rooted variety, ones to try are Early Nantes or Little Finger. They both have a long germination time and need the early moisture. It is best to cover carrots, either with plastic sheeting raised on sticks or place a piece of wood (2”x4” works nicely) over the row of seeds. Parsnips will take all season to mature and will become sweeter after a frost.

When they are at the early growth stage they need regular thinning and checking for root rot or small chewing signs of rodents. They will require constant watering as the temperature rises to grow the root.

Turnips and rutabaga of the Brassiceae family need to be planted after frost time and germinate easily. Thin them out to at least three inches apart and pull any weeds out as the root ball grows quickly needing all the space possible so it is ‘thin, thin, and thin again.’ Regular pulling/harvesting as they grow creates an airy, open growing condition and the small ‘balls’ are a nice vegetable for the table.

Beets, not as popular, are a good, versatile root vegetable and can be eaten raw, grated into a salad, and green tops can be sautéed as a side dish. Later in the year the root/ball can be preserved for winter use. They are grown the same way as turnips needing plenty of space to fill the roots. They appear to have a tolerance to fungal disease so need little care.

An interesting fact I learned, Betatin found in beets is the red colorant used commercially in tomato paste, sauces, desserts, jams, ice cream, candy and breakfast cereals.

Carrots do not appear to get powdery mildew but turnips and rutabaga are prone to this and a regular spraying of a simple solution of baking soda, dish soap and water, used frequently, often works. Another suggested spray to try is a milk solution 40/60 milk/water in a small hand-sprayer. This needs to be applied in bright sunlight as the protein in the milk acts as an antiseptic. There is an odour to it but on drying it soon dissipates.

Last on my list is the radish which is great to encourage children into the hobby of gardening. They can be grown in a bucket or in a row in the garden. They germinate in 2-3 days, maturing in 30 days, and with regular thinning as needed will last a long time. They are usually eaten raw.

All root vegetables grow better when deep watered before the soil dries. Fertilizer needs to be low in nitrogen to encourage root growth, not top green leaves.

Root vegetables year round are a common staple in the kitchen so it is wise to allow some space for them in the ‘veggie patch.’

The next monthly meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on Tuesday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Centre, Tillsonburg Community Centre. There will be a Panel of Knowledge where Jim Mabee, Cheryl Losch and Matt Fenn will answer garden questions and more. Special draw prize for participants. Social time and refreshments. Guest $4, or $20 annual membership. Come join us.

More information www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or Facebook (Tillsonburghorticultural).