Planting Root Crops- Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Turnips & Onions

Give Root Crops A Try

September is a fantastic month to begin planting your root crops. Usually the weather has started getting cooler around the third week of the month, but there is plenty to do during the first and second week to get prepared for planting.

Beets, radishes, carrots, turnips, and onions are considered root crops and they are available in a variety of beautiful colors. They are also packed with vitamins and proteins. Root crops, such as beets and turnips are not as appealing to some people, but give them a chance. They add color and zang to many different dishes. Scroll Down to see our roasted beet and carrot recipe if you need a reason to add them to your garden.

Now that I have convinced you to give beets and turnips a try, let's get your beds ready.

Root crops need loose soil, that holds in moisture well. For most spring crops I prefer to use one bag of Sungrow (fafard) 3B Mix to one part Black Cow Organic Compost. However, with my root crops, I add in much more Black Cow Compost. Two bags of Black Cow to one bag of Sungrow 3B Mix will make your root crops jump.

If you are planting directly into the ground, make sure to till in your compost, heavily. The soil should be loose. You may also use well decomposed compost from your own compost bin instead of or in addition to the Black Cow.

Whether you plant in the ground, in containers or in a raised bed, make sure you pick a sunny spot that gets six to eight hours of sunlight.

Your homework is to go ahead and get your beds ready. Next week I will go into detail on how to start your beets, followed by your other root crops in the weeks to come.

I have not forgotten about your collards, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce and other leafy vegetables. I like to plant these in late September, because they like much cooler temperatures, so stay tuned for advice on growing the rest of your fall garden.

Tasteful Roasted Beet & Carrot Recipe

Beet & Carrot Tops

4 Home Grown Carrots

5 Home Grown Beets

2 Teaspoons Olive Oil

Garlic, Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 425. Wash and cut off the tops of your beets and carrots. Save the tops. Saute them in olive oil and garlic and add them to the final dish, for a twist. To roast beets, wrap time tightly in aluminum foil, then place on middle oven rack for approximately one hour. While beets are roasting, dice your carrots and place in a shallow pan. Add salt, pepper and oil. Place carrots in the oven for only twenty minutes, on middle rack. When finished, dice, mix and enjoy.

Did We Get You Excited About Growing Root Crops?

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Sal's TIP of the Day: Did you know that it is always best to water your plants from below? Watering from above, using a sprinkler can promote moisture related diseases like blight and more. My favorite- TOP PICK for the garden is the Mister Landscape System. It is an easy, no brainer to hook up. I have plenty of gardening experience, but no plumbing. I hooked this up myself in under an hour. They also include an installation DVD. Check this product out- it's great for raised beds, containers and more.

Want to Know Where to Purchase Black Cow and Fafard Mix and Fertilizer?

Come down to Sal's @ 7989 Winnsboro Rd. in Columbia, SC and purchase your PROFESSIONAL SUNGROW 3B Potting Soil and Your Black Cow Compost. Learn More about these awesome products by clicking on the picture. I recommend Hi Yield All Purpose Fertilizer to feed your root crops. We have it at Sal's but you can also get it delivered by clicking here. For Store Hours Click Here and be sure to subscribe to our page while there. Let's Get Growing South Carolina.