Fact Sheets no. Root Crops are among the first and last vegetables to mature. With proper home-storage facilities, a supply can be available all winter and into spring. They are well adapted to Gardens in short-season areas because they do not have a definite stage of maturity and can be consumed when very small. Root Crops are ideal for small Gardens because they take up little space.
Most root Crops are frost tolerant and the edible portion is somewhat protected by the soil.
Root Crops are the first and last vegetables to be harvested and, under proper storage conditions, are available year round. They take up little space, which makes them ideal for small Gardens. They have no definite stage of maturity that must be reached before they are edible, so they are ideal for short-season areas or areas where the length of season is unpredictable. Vegetable root Crops may be eaten at any size. Most species are frost hardy and grow if an early fall frost is followed by warm weather.