Vegetable Compost Soil Improver

Root vegetables are a great crop to grow in your garden or allotment. They are versatile and tasty crops to cook with, and typically store well too. But it can be tricky to know how they’re getting on given they are underground!

Some popular options are potatoes, onions, garlic, parsnips and carrots, with plenty of varieties to choose from.

Before you get started, prepare your space. You need rich soil free from stones allowing the plants free access to burrow and grow. Although, don’t forget that some of the charm with home grown veg are the curvy carrots!

If your soil is quite poor dig in some compost when preparing your ground. Be sure not to pack the earth too tightly, as the plants will need the room to grow without too much resistance.

Alternatively plant your root vegetables in raised beds or containers. This can offer more easy access as you plant, grow and harvest. If you’re opting for a raised bed or container, ensuring that it’s deep enough to allow the vegetables to grow - the deeper the better.

Some root veg, like onions, do well from seedlings, so think about whether to choose seeds or more developed plants. Potatoes need to be chitted – ideally on a windowsill. If you are using seeds plant directly where you want to grow them – they won’t transplant easily – and space them well.

Root veg thrives in cooler weather – so can be a perfect project if there's a less than ideal UK summer! But all enjoy the sunlight so choose a bright patch.

Like other crops, root vegetables can fall prey to pests so consider companion planting to lure away any insects wanting to set up home – coriander can entice ladybirds and hoverflies who will in turn eat any pests, and chives and garlic can reduce the instance of carrot fly.

Root veg offers a good window for harvesting, from June or July to the winter months, and some crops will be happy to overwinter too so don’t be afraid of giving them time to grow. When the time comes, enjoy it – harvesting root vegetables is like digging for treasure!