Growing Five Root Vegetables 

Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) grows well in fertile, loamy soil that drains well. This plant thrives in both full sun and semi-shade and requires moderate watering. It can be propagated by division of plant clusters or rooting small pieces of the tuberous root. 

The tuberous roots are made into flour and is commonly used in biscuits, cakes, jellies and puddings. The roots can also be sliced thinly and fried as chips. 

The Peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea) grows well in fertile, well-draining soil and thrives under full sun. It requires moderate watering and is propagated by seeds. Peanut’s lateral roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules.

The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, and are key ingredients in confectionary, sauces and snacks.

Radish (Raphanus sativus) grows best in well-draining soil for optimal tap root development. This plant thrives in full sun and requires moderate watering.

The swollen tap root is peeled and cut into small pieces which are cooked in soups and meat dishes. The leafy tops can also be stir-fried and eaten as a leafy vegetable.

Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) is best grown in well-draining soil. It thrives in full sun and requires moderate watering. It can be propagated by stem cuttings or sprouts that grow from the tubers.

The tubers may be boiled, baked or fried, or made into flour for making biscuits, bread and pastries. The young shoots can be stir-fried and eaten as a leafy vegetable.

Tapioca (Manihot esculenta) prefers to grow in well-draining soil. It thrives in full sun and requires moderate watering. It can be propagated by woody stem cuttings.

The tubers are a rich source of carbohydrates and the young leaves are eaten as a leafy vegetable. It is advisable to cook them thoroughly before consumption.

Depending on the species, ‘root vegetables’ can either be grown from seed or propagated vegetatively from plant parts such as corms, rhizomes, tubers and stems. To encourage more root growth, make sure that the soil used is loose and well-draining with plenty of depth. 

Obtain seeds from the fruit of a healthy, mature plant. Seeds can also be bought from nurseries or shops. Plant the seeds directly into the ground. This is the most straightforward way to grow peanuts and radishes.        

Cut a mature but green section of a stem and remove some of the leaves to reduce water loss by transpiration. Place the cutting in water until it produces roots, and then plant it in soil that drains well. Plants that can be grown from stem cuttings include Sweet Potato and Tapioca.

Buy these as raw, unprocessed produce from supermarkets or wet markets. The storage organs should ideally have started budding before planting, so select ones with new growth or leave them in a cool dry place to grow. Once new buds form, bury the corm, rhizome or tuber in the soil, exposing only the growing bud(s). 

Plants grown through vegetative propagation take a shorter time to mature. They also retain all the characteristics of the parent plant.

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Text from Community in Boom