About Carrots, Parsnips and Radishes

Carrots are native to Eurasia, with the typical orange variety coming from east Asia.  Parsnips are native to the eastern Mediterranean and north to the Caucus Mountains. Beets also are from the Mediterranean region usually along the sandy coast.  Lastly radishes are native to China.

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Root Crops

• Root vegetables do best when planted by seed in loose friable, well drained soils. Heavy or clay soils will cause stunted or crooked root development. Transplanting carrots and parsnips can also lead to crooked root development.         
• Plant soon after the last expected frost.
• Plant seeds no more than ½ inch deep.
• Carrots and Parsnips may take up to 3 weeks to germinate depending on soil temperatures.
• Fertilize lightly using an all-purpose fertilizer (6-6-6) as a side dressing anytime the second set of leaves appear.
• Root crops will often bolt, sending up flower stalks in the first year, not the ideal situation for gardeners hoping for a good crop.  Plants often bolt if there are a few consecutive days of near freezing temperatures.  Once plants start to bolt the root generally will not get any bigger, and the foliage can become bitter.
• Root vegetables can be harvested as baby vegetables or as fully mature roots.
• Once mature, pull plants when needed. In ground storage is a good option for gardeners.
• To avoid breaking or damaging the roots at harvest, avoid pulling the plants up without first loosening the soil with a spade or trowel.
• All root vegetables are susceptible to gophers, voles, mice and ground squirrels. Rabbits, deer, bears and raccoons will munch the foliage, as will many chewing insects like grasshoppers.
• The leaves can also be used in salads or cooking, though not parsnip leaves. Parsnip leaves should not be consumed as they contain furanocoumarins that can cause irritation to the skin and swelling of lips, mouth and tongue.  It is noted that there are a few recipes that mention using parsnip leaves.

Information provided by Dave Long, Lake Tahoe Master Gardener, Summer 2024