After a detailed introduction to Texas gardening, let's turn our attention to the Northwest - Portland, Oregon. Here you will find a variety of well-grown rooted plants. Especially in April, the warmer weather will make your gardening activities go more smoothly.
So, for the needs of our Portland clients. We've put together basic information on gardening and the best vegetables to grow in Portland Oregon. Come on, get your straw hats and gloves ready, and get to work in your portable greenhouse!
（Root plants）
Portland soil and climate
Portland's weather is characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the year. Summers are warm and hot, and winters are mild with occasional snowfall. The average temperature in the region is 62 °F in April, which is very pleasant weather. Oregon's state soil is Jory, which is composed of well-drained soil type. It provides an ideal environment for trees as well as crops to grow.
（Portland farm）
The best root plants to grow
Root plants all prefer full sun, preferably eight or more hours of direct sunlight. Soil conditions should preferably be well-drained and loose. All of the following root plants are ideal for growing in Portland.
Turnip
This is a hardy root crop suitable for growing in spring and autumn. It grows much faster compared to many other crops. When the soil is dry, dig down about an inch, put in the seeds, and cover with fertilizer and water. It is best to place each one an inch apart.
Also, the turnip has a high water demand and is not drought resistant. If you experience dry weather, you should water immediately. Regular fertilization with the watering can achieve good results. It will germinate in about 5 days and wait until 5 weeks to harvest.
Beets
This crop prefers a warm climate and is hardy. The seeds of beets germinate slowly and can be soaked in warm water for about four hours before sowing. Again, sow the seeds one inch deep in the soil at the same spacing. Cover with soil and water after sowing.
Beets need a lot of water to grow and prefer to grow in moist soil. We can pick the beet roots when they are sticking outward from the roots, which is usually two months. When collecting beets, we should be careful not to dig up the skin of the beetroots, otherwise, it will not be easy to store them.
Sweet Potato
Before sweet potatoes are planted, a compost mix is needed. If the location is not warm enough, you need to cover a layer of plastic film to keep the soil warm. When planting, it is best to keep each plant 12 inches apart. And watering once a week is sufficient.
When the vine reaches 3 inches in length, pinch off the top of the vine. After pinching, new vines will grow on both sides and then pinch off the tops when the new vines reach one inch in length. Sweet potato leaves are also edible. Wait for three months to harvest mature sweet potatoes.
（Turnip,beets and sweet potato）
Parsnips
It has high nutritional value and is a vegetable belonging to the parsley family. Parsnip is suitable for sowing in spring. Parsnip germinates slowly, perhaps up to 28 days. Because of the long rhizomes that grow, it is best planted in a raised garden bed with sufficient depth. once Parsnip germinates, you should remember to keep the soil moist by watering them properly. Also, remove weeds from the surrounding area regularly to keep them growing well.
Onion
Probably the most frequently needed vegetable in your kitchen. It is also a very easy root crop to grow, either hydroponically or in soil. If hydroponics simply place it in a container with the roots facing down.
Maintain a permanent water supply and at first, it is best to change the water daily to keep it hydrated. Change the water once every 3-4 days when the green shoots grow at the top. If planted in soil, the soil must be kept moist and spaced one inch apart as needed. Onions have a short growing time and are ready to harvest when the tops begin to dry out and fall off.
（Parsnips and onion）
Planting tips
Planting depth and spacing
Depth at planting has a direct impact on whether seeds receive adequate moisture and temperature. For many root crops, planting too shallow may result in low germination rates. And if planted too deeply, the roots will not receive oxygen and thus the plant will die.
Likewise, the distance of each root plant is also pivotal. Improper plant spacing can lead to slow growth, low yields, and overall reduced plant health.
Adequate light
Most rooted plants need a long period of light. So choose the sunniest part of your garden for them to grow before planting.
Selecting containers
A raised garden bed with sufficient depth and easy composting is more suitable for roots than directly on the ground. It also keeps the soil warmer and allows the crop to grow more quickly.
（Quictent raised garden bed）
Direct seeding or transplanting
For root crops, transplanting can be more time-consuming and labor-intensive than direct seeding. Some crops are also not suitable for transplanting and will die quickly if the roots are disturbed. However, if the outdoor temperature is not enough, you can try to grow them indoors before transplanting them. But the transplanting process must be careful to keep it stable.
Maintenance
In planting root crops are also regularly maintained. When weeds grow next to the crop, it is best to clean them up immediately otherwise they will compete with the crop for nutrients. Besides this, another major enemy of root crops is pests.
Root maggots, leaf miners, nematodes, etc. Apart from using the appropriate insecticides, you can also protect the root system with some horticultural mulch. When there is already an infected crop and it is dying, it is best to eliminate this part of the crop directly.
How to store root plants
Once a crop has been harvested, you need to know how to store these root crops. The storage conditions for root vegetables are simple compared to other vegetables. In general, they can be stored in a cool and ventilated environment.
If they need to be stored for more than a month, it is best to clean the soil off their surface. After that, cover them with a damp towel before placing them in open containers away from light.
（How to store root plants）
Conclusion
Roots plants are easy to grow and offer many health benefits. And Portland's fertile soil and mild weather conditions make April an ideal month for growing root crops. Plus, the process of growing your food is not only rewarding, but it's also a great stress reliever.
So if you're looking for a fun and easy way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather in Portland. Try growing some root vegetables this April!
