Not having a garden does not mean you can’t grow root vegetables. There are many root vegetables that you can grow in containers on your balcony, porch or yard. It is easy to grow them as well as to care for them. Besides, these vegetables are highly productive. Growing them will get you a heavy yield.
Potatoes
No wonder potatoes are one of the most loved root vegetables. They are soft and fluffy and they are extremely healthy and delicious. You can grow potatoes in containers on your balcony, rooftop, terrace or patio. The best thing about container gardening is it eliminates space restrictions.
Growing Potatoes is great. First, they are heavy producers, they will provide you with a heavy yield. Second, it is extremely easy to grow them. Potatoes can be grown in any type of containers. You can grow them in growing bags, in polyethylene bags, dustbins, sacks, and tires. Just make sure you choose a large container.
2. Carrots
Carrots are one of the best root vegetables for containers. They are sweet and crispy and they are deliciously fresh and cooked. Besides, they are extremely healthy and have many medicinal uses. Carrots require a container that is at least 10-15 inches deep. For a successful crop, it is recommended to follow the following tips:
- Sow the seeds 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost.
- If you live in a hot area, it is better to grow carrots during the fall and the winter.
- For best results, you should check this article about growing carrots as well as this article about harvesting them.
3. Beets
Beets are one of the healthiest root vegetables. They contain Iron, Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Potassium. These fast-growing vegetables are worth investing your time in. They require wide pots that are at least 8 inches deep. Makes sure the post are large enough to accommodate mature beets comfortably because these healthy plants don’t like being transplanted. Here is some good advice:
- The best time to plant beets is spring or fall
- In hot areas, grow them in winter and early spring
- They don’t like warmth
4. Ginger
Ginger is one of the plants you should definitely grow in containers. All the parts of this plant are edible. The leaves and the shoots are extremely flavorful. They are used in the same way as green onions. Ginger requires a deep pot since it needs to be planted at least 12 inches deep. Here some information about this flavorful plant:
- Ginger is usually planted in spring
- If you live in a warm area, you can grow it year round.
- Ginger requires sunlight exposure daily
- It can be grown indoors
5. Radish
Radish is one of the fast-growing root vegetables. This plant will be ready to be harvested in no more than one month. You can grow radish anywhere as long as it gets access to sunlight for at least 6 hours daily. For the container, it should be at least 6 inches in depth. The width is not important. The best tips for growing radish are:
- It is better to grow this plan in spring, late summer, and fall.
- It prefers moist soil
6. Green Onions
The best thing about growing onion in containers is that you can grow it year round. Onion does not require a big pot. It grows perfectly in small sized and medium sized containers. The adequate container depth will be 6 inches. Besides, onions grow quickly, you can harvest them in a couple weeks. Just keep in mind that this healthy root vegetable needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Onion can also be grown indoors, check out this article to learn how.
7. Garlic
Growing garlic is easy. It is widely grown for its multiple health benefits. You can it raw with salads or cook it with soups, risotto, omelets, and stir-fried dishes. Besides being healthy, garlic is also flavorful. It is an essential ingredient of many famous delicious dishes.
If you don’t have any outdoor space available, you can grow garlic in containers indoors. It is quite easy. This post will show you how.
8. Turnip
Turnip is grown for its roots and green. It is one of the most delicious root vegetables. For growing this healthy plant you will a 12-inch deep pot. Place the container where turnip can receive part or full sun and you will have a heavy yield of greens in one month and maybe less. For the roots, they will take a few more weeks to ripen.
9. Horseradish
This spicy-peppery annual is fun to grow because it is an extremely low maintenance veggie. It is not difficult to grow it. It only requires a large pot. The post should be between 18 and 24 inches deep. It is also recommended that:
- Grow horseradish in spring so you can harvest in fall
- Keep in a spot where it can access sunlight for 6 hours daily
10. Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are adored veggies because they are one of the most delicious plants on earth. Growing these tasty veggies is challenging because they need attention and observation. First of all, they require regular watering because they need constant warmth and moisture. You should also grow them in medium sized containers of 10 inches deep and make you sure not to plant them until the temperature is above 60 F (15 C).
11. Taro
Taro is one of the most popular Asian root vegetables. All parts of Taro are edible but it is popular because of its unique creamy, nutty-flavored roots. Besides, it is an extremely decorative plant. Adding it to your porch or balcony will add so much beauty to them.
For growing Taro, you should provide it with a large container that is at least 12 inches deep and a good quality well-drained soil. The soil should be rich in organic matter. Taro prefers a moist soil, thus, you should also water it regularly.
Final Words
These are the best root vegetables to grow in containers. These veggies are easy to grow, productive and most of all, they will eliminate the space restrictions. Don’t hesitate to start your container root vegetable garden, vegetable gardens are rewarding.