Root Crops & Tubers in Texas: A Grower’s Guide to Underground Resilience

When drought hits and summer heat bakes the soil, most plants struggle to survive. But underground, a quiet kind of resilience grows. Root crops and tubers—beets, carrots, turnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and more—store energy below the surface, offering food security and steady harvests even when conditions above ground turn harsh.

From backyard gardeners to small-scale farms, Texans have long relied on these crops to balance their gardens and diversify local food systems. Whether you’re digging for sweet potatoes in Van Zandt County or pulling carrots from a raised bed in San Antonio, these underground growers remind us that strength often develops out of sight.

1. 🌱 What Counts as a Root Crop—or a Tuber?

Root crops store nutrients directly in their roots (like carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips).

Tubers form modified stems or storage organs (like potatoes and sweet potatoes).

Both types thrive in Texas’s long growing season—but success depends on regional timing and soil care.

Less common tropicals—like cassava, jicama, and taro—can grow in South Texas but rarely survive frost.

2. 🪴 Soil, Sun & Site Preparation

Healthy roots start with healthy soil.

Sunlight: Full sun (6–8+ hours daily) fuels strong tops that feed root growth.

Drainage: Roots and tubers rot quickly in soggy soil; raised beds or ridged rows help in clay-heavy areas.

Soil texture: Sandy loam or loamy soils are ideal; clay soils benefit from compost, aged manure, or coarse sand.

Fertility & pH

1. Test your soil before planting. Most root crops prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–6.8).
2. Use a balanced fertilizer (5-10-10 or 10-20-10) before planting.
3. Avoid excess nitrogen—it promotes leafy tops instead of edible roots.
4. Rotate crops each year to prevent nematodes and soilborne disease buildup.

(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2023)

2. 🌦️ Planting Windows & Regional Timing

Timing varies across Texas’s climates.

1. East Texas: Irish potatoes in February; sweet potatoes in April–May.
2. Central Texas: Root crops in early spring or late fall; sweet potatoes thrive in early summer.
3. High Plains & West Texas: Beets and carrots perform best in spring and fall when nights are cooler.

For direct-seeded crops (carrots, radishes, turnips, beets), sow about ¼–½ inch deep.

Sweet potatoes are planted as slips—sprouts from cured tubers—once soils are warm.

Irish potatoes grow from seed pieces with at least one “eye,” planted 3–4 inches deep in rows 2–3 feet apart.

(AgriLife Vegetable Planting Guide, 2021)

4. 💧 Water, Weeds & Maintenance

Moisture management: Consistent watering is key. Drought stress causes cracking and tough texture, while overwatering leads to rot. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target the soil, not the leaves.

Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or compost to hold moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce weeds.

Weed control: Weed early and shallowly—deep hoeing damages delicate roots.

Pests & diseases:

1. Root-knot nematodes are a common problem; rotate with non-host crops or solarize soil in summer.
2. Wireworms, cutworms, and grubs may tunnel through tubers—especially in sandy soils.
3. Avoid planting root crops after nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants) to reduce disease carryover.

(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2020)

5. 🥕 Harvesting, Curing & Storage

Harvesting:

1. Root crops: Pull when mature size is reached; flavor often improves in cooler soil.
2. Potatoes: Harvest once vines die back and skins toughen.
3. Sweet potatoes: Ready 120–135 days after planting—before frost risk.

Handle gently to avoid bruising or cuts that invite rot.

Curing:

Sweet potatoes need 7–10 days at 85–90% humidity and 80–85°F to heal skins and boost sweetness.

Storage:

1. Sweet potatoes: 55–60°F, dark and humid—never refrigerated.
2. Potatoes: 45–50°F, dry and ventilated (avoid sunlight to prevent greening).
3. Beets, carrots, turnips: 32–40°F, high humidity; store in damp sand or perforated bags.

(Live Oak AgriLife Crop Profile: Sweet Potatoes, 2011)

6. 🌾 Lessons from Texas Growers

In Van Zandt County, sandy loam soils yield some of Texas’s best sweet potatoes.

In the High Plains, cool nights help beets and carrots develop natural sweetness.

Across urban gardens from Dallas to Houston, raised beds and containers simplify soil management and keep yields steady.

Many growers pair root crops with cover crops like clover or ryegrass to rebuild soil health, improve water retention, and protect against erosion.

7. 🌻 Underground Crops for a Changing Climate

Root crops and tubers do more than fill plates—they anchor resilience. Their underground growth shields them from drought, hail, and heat spikes, while their long shelf life bridges the gap between growing seasons.

For Texas gardeners, they’re a reminder that stability can be cultivated—quietly, patiently, and just below the surface.

🌱 Ready to learn hands-on? Explore Gardening Experiences Across Texas — from Fort Worth’s community gardens to San Antonio’s historic mission farms.

📚 References

1. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (2023). Texas Home Vegetable Gardening Guide.
2. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (2021). East Texas Vegetable Planting Guide.
3. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (2020). Root and Tuber Crops: The Crops of Texas. 
4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Live Oak County. (2011). Texas Crop Profile: Sweet Potatoes.

👉 Also Read

1. How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Texas Gardens
2. From Soil to Storage: How Root Crops Feed Texas Year-Round
3. Sweet Potatoes, Pecans & Pies: Texas Ingredients for Your Holiday Table
4. How to Grow Luffa in Texas (And Why It Belongs in Your Garden)
5. Moringa Tea: Health Benefits, Brewing Tips, and Flavor Pairings