Released April 2, 2009
URBANA, Ill. -- Root crops such as radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips and rutabagas are the easiest crops to grow for several reasons, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.
"But are you already thinking: Roots? Who eats roots?" said Barbara Bates.
"Beets can be pickled, roasted, grated into cakes or bread--just like apples or zucchini, grated to make slaw or added fresh to salads. Beet tops--called greens--add wonderful flavor and color to a lettuce or spinach salad. Rutabagas can be used as a substitute for potatoes in any recipe or cut into sticks and eaten with your favorite veggie dip. Parsnips are sweetly delicious roasted, baked with a glazed and they are better than carrots in any soup or casserole."
Root crops are easy to grow because you start them from seed, she said.
"Seed is inexpensive to purchase and is readily available," she noted. "Using catalogs to order seed allows you to select the specific varieties and characteristics you want.
"For a successful harvest you basically plant the seed, get them started, spread a little mulch to keep the weeds down then, harvest and eat."
With root crops there is no worry about fruits rotting on the vine, over maturity, poor pollination, hail damage or theft by raccoon or squirrel, she added.
All of these crops produce enlarged roots which is the part harvested to be eaten. In some cases you get a double bang for your buck because beet greens, radish flowers and turnip greens are all edible. The enlarged roots store water and carbohydrates so once established these crops are pretty forgiving of irregular rainfall and even dry conditions. Production is enhanced by regular watering and application of fertilizers with phosphorus for enhances root production.
"Crops like green beans, zucchini, spinach and salad greens must be harvested almost daily to keep pace with production," Bates said. With the exception of radishes, the root crops listed above have an open window to harvest. These crops wait patiently for you to get to them, instead of demanding your daily attention.
"Root crops are sweetest and have the best flavor when harvested after frost, with radishes being the exception."
Carrots, parsnips, turnips and rutabagas are all biennials. A biennial is a plant that sprouts from seed and forms an enlarged root the first season. The root survives through the winter, produces leaves, blooms, and seeds then dies after the second growing season.
"The key to harvesting these root crops is to dig them when the shoulders of the root are the proper size--read the seed packet for specifics," she said. "Roots that are too large can be tough and roots harvested too soon will be less sweet that those that have collected the full amount of sugars for winter storage."
Radishes are the exception to this basic root crop formula and require a little more attention.
"Radishes are an annual," said Bates. "Annuals bloom and produce seed in one growing season. They are primarily a cool-season crop, best planted in spring and early fall. Icicle types can be planted for summer harvest.
"As with other root crops the key to harvesting is root size. With radishes, beware of 'bolting'. Bolting is a signal that the plant is getting ready to set seed. During bolting the leafy stalk elongates and forms a flower head. Once this happens, the roots become bitter and tough. Bolting occurs quickly during warm weather so plan to plant and harvest radishes in spring and fall."
Most radishes mature in 20 to 30 days. Radishes should be eaten fresh, not cooked. Fresh crisp radishes can be a treat all summer long so stagger the planting of seed to extend the harvest. Plant seed in small amounts, just as many as you plan to eat and share with friends, at 10 to 14 day intervals beginning as soon as the soil can be worked in spring. Continue planting cool season types through mid-spring.
"Your first radishes will be ready in May," Bates said. "Winter radishes, Chinese or daikon types, are the best for storing. They require almost twice as long to mature as globe or icicle types. Plant seeds of winter types in mid-summer for a late fall harvest."
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http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4728.html
Contacts: Barbara Bates (630) 584-6166
Bob Sampson, (217) 244-0225, rsampson@uiuc.edu
