1. Jon Traunfeld jont@umd.edu
Root Crops!
Jon Traunfeld
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2. ORGANIZATIONAL FLOW CHART
This flow chart represents how the UME Master Gardener program fits into the larger University of Maryland system.
The University of Maryland is the state’s flagship land-grant institution. It has 13 different Colleges and Schools. One college is the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) has three parts: Academics, Research, and Extension. Campus faculty in the College of AGNR spend their time teaching college students (Academics) and conducting Research. University of Maryland Extension field faculty (and some campus faculty) serve Maryland through outreach and education programs (Extension).
University of Maryland Extension has over thirty different outreach and educational programs spanning across Maryland.
In order to reach more people in their communities, faculty often teach volunteers, who can then share their new knowledge locally. One volunteer education program where this happens is the UME Master Gardener program. This program is supported by University of Maryland Extension and its mission is to educate Maryland residents about safe, effective, and sustainable horticultural practices.

3. UME Master Gardener volunteers are typically involved in projects focusing on one of six main topic areas. Additional focus areas (e.g., Therapeutic Horticulture) do exist.
Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinic: Outreach education about plant and pest problems. Residents get their questions answered at plant clinics typically held at libraries and farmers markets.
Grow It Eat It: Teaching and promoting backyard and community food production. This also includes demonstration gardens, Grow It Eat It Preserve It, and produce donations to food banks.
Bay-Wise: Better water and soil quality through smarter gardening.
Pollinators: Education around integrated pest management (IPM), pollinators, and natural enemies.
Composting: Also known as "Urban Nutrient Management" which includes education about backyard/community composting, soil testing and improvement, and fertilizer use.
Native Plants: Education and project work around native plants and invasive plants.

4. Reasons to grow root crops
Some are double-duty crops…eat tops and roots: beet, sweet potato, radish, celeriac, onion, leek, garlic, turnip
Many are cool season crops- can be grown in spring and fall
Most are storage crops that can feed you year-round!

5. Tips for success
Need at least 8-in. of loose, fertile soil (carrots and parsnips will do better with 12 inches.
Push garden fork into the soil and rock it back and forth to loosen subsoil. Then add compost and mix in with topsoil.
Cover seedlings with floating row cover to speed up growth and protect plants from pests.
Thin out seedlings so that you end up with the correct spacing between plants.

6. Cold tolerance of common root crops
Hardy (can tolerate heavy frost)- garlic, leek, multiplier onion, turnip, radish
Half-hardy (can tolerate light frost)- beet, carrot, parsnip, rutabaga
Half-tender (frost injures plant)- potato
Tender (frost will kill plant)- sweet potato
Can overwinter in garden- garlic, leek, multiplier onion, carrot, turnip, radish (daikon will begin to decompose by mid-winter)

7. Spring planting
Read and plan- seed catalogs, seed packets, plant date charts.
Radish, beet, carrot, turnip, onion can be planted 4-6 weeks before last expected frost.
Plant every two weeks if you like the crop!
Hold off on planting potato until soil warms (mid-April)

8. Pre-germinating seeds
Works well for slow-growing seeds like beet and carrot.
Gives plants a head start.
Soak seeds overnight in water or in a moistened paper towel enclosed in a plastic bag.
Parsley is a good candidate for this.

9. Fall planting Vegetables take longer to mature.
Cool nights slow plant growth.
Days grow shorter, less sunlight energy for plants.
These environmental conditions cause conversion of starch to sugar.

10. Short-day factor for fall planting.
First frost date for your area
Days to maturity, germination, transplant
Add 14 days for Short Day Factor
Formula:
Days to maturity + Days to germinate + Days to transplant + SDF=Days to plant before frost
Handout: How to figure last planting date. Use Kohlrabi as an example.

11. Sample calculation for sowing turnip seeds
Days to germination:
Days to maturity:
Short Day Factor (SDF): __14__
I can sow seeds between 68 and 76 days before the first frost – about Oct. 20 for Ellicott City.
Counting back from Oct. 20 the dates to sow are about Aug. 1 to August 13.

12. Sowing seeds for fall crops
Soil is hot and dry.
Clay soil forms hard crust.
Seeds need cooler temperatures and moisture to germinate and grow.
Slow growing beets and carrots will suffer setbacks if soil is dry.

13. Tips for sowing seeds in summer
Water soil before sowing.
Sow in the late afternoon so germination will begin overnight.
Plant seeds slightly deeper than in spring.
Can cover seeds in furrow with potting soil or vermiculite.
Keep soil cool and moist. Cover seeded area with burlap, newspapers, boards, or light mulch.
When seeds germinate lift covers.

14. Floating Row Covers
First line of defense against frost- spring or fall
Hastens germination
Protection for tender plants/seedlings from heat/sun
Excludes pests
‘Hold-ups’ (support); examples:
pvc pipe, reinforcing wire, and
nine gauge wire few; be creative!

15. Fall greens protected with floating row cover draped over wire hoops and secured to the ground with tomato stakes.

16. Floating row cover over pvc hoops to protect fall broccoli and cabbage and cauliflower from pests and to accelerate growth.

17. Interplant- spring or fall
Use shade from existing plants.
Sow fast growing greens between slower growing root crops.
Plant a row of carrot and then plant radishes in a parallel row 3 inches from the carrots. Radish germinates more quickly, will help mark the carrot row and will be harvested by the time the carrots need extra room.

19. Tips for effective use of cold frames
Wetter isn't better: allow soil to become nearly dry to encourage deep roots
Don’t be mean…lean: no footsteps inside; lean in or install stepping boards
Survive a freeze, you’ll be pleased: throw a blanket or old carpet on top to retain heat
High/low will show: place a high/low thermometer for easy monitoring
Cold frames must be vented to let hot air out on sunny days!

20. Garlic- # 1 fall crop!
Purchase bulbs to plant in October from a seed/plant company; not from grocery store!
Choose full sun location
Weed area and amend soil with compost
Separate cloves and plant them pointed end up, 2 inches deep and 5 inches apart

21. Top dress with compost or mulch to deter weeds
In spring add fresh layer of compost or mulch
Remove and eat flower stalks
(scapes) to insure large bulbs
Harvest late June-early July

22. Gently dig up bulbs with garden fork.
Cure bulbs on porch or well-ventilated room. Lay plants on window screen or hang them. Cut tops off after 2-3 weeks and store in dry cool location.

23. Beets come in different colors and sizes; baby beets can be grown in containers.

25. Potato seed pieces are cut and planted 8-12 inches apart in tranches at this UME Master Gardener demonstration garden in Montgomery Co.

26. Vole feeding can be prevented with snap traps, live traps (above) or tight mesh fencing.

27. Parsnips are delicious and under-utilized in most home gardens and kitchens. Seeds are are slow to germinate.

28. Turnip and carrot are two fabulous crops to roast in the oven.

29. Radish is a great beginner crop- fast and easy.
Top right is a forage radish (edible) grown to improve soil.
At right is a Salad Table full of healthy radish plants.

30. Sweet potato can tolerate hot, dry weather
Sweet potato can tolerate hot, dry weather. The foliage is rampant and can be harvested for excellent greens- raw or cooked.

31. Stir-fried sweet potato roots and tops above.
Sweet potato fries are delicious!

32. Other root crops- celeriac
Also known as celery root. Slow-growing with soft celery flavor. Eaten raw or cooked. Leaves are also edible.
Also, horseradish and Jerusalem artichoke

33. Other root crops-leek
Planted in spring and harvested fall through the following spring.

34. Other root crops- yacon
One of the “lost crops of the Incas”; eaten raw.

35. Resources
extension.umd.edu/hgic extension.umd.edu/learn/ask-gardening marylandgrows.umd.edu
extension.umd.edu/mg
Take a food gardening class
Find local community gardens
Learn about youth/school gardens
RESOURCES
The Home & Garden Information Center develops and delivers science-based, sustainable gardening and integrated pest management education for better human and environmental health.
Use their free Ask an Expert service to submit a plant or pest question to their Certified Professional Horticulturalists. Follow their blog at marylandgrows.umd.edu.
UME Master Gardener volunteers reach thousands of Maryland residents each year with their classes and events. To learn about the classes and events in your area, go to the Master Gardener website and click on Local Programs. You may also be interested in ordering the Maryland Master Gardener Handbook. It has over 600 pages of information covering a wide variety of horticultural topics.
Grow It Eat It is one of the six main topic areas in the UME Master Gardener program. A number of Master Gardener volunteers teach and promote the local, sustainable production of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
extension.umd.edu/growit

36. Many thanks to Grow It Eat It bloggers and Calvert County MGs who provided photos and information:
Erica Smith (head blogger), Nancy Robson, Kent Phillips, Nick Tardiff, Lena Rotenberg, Butch Willard, Sabine Harvey, Bob Nixon
Powerpoint by Jon Traunfeld, Extension Specialist; March, 2013

37. This program was brought to you by
University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Program
Howard County
Remember to put in the name of your county.
Created by Jon Traunfeld, Extension Specialist, UME; 2014; revised 2/15/15; revised 12/19/16; revised by Beth Bukowski 01/18/2018; revised by Alicia Bembenek 01/25/18