Underground Edibles


Roots, tubers, and bulbs are three examples of specialty crops that are grown underground. Each underground edible acts as a storage unit that provides the plant with the nutrients it needs to grow and bloom.


Roots: There are two different types of root systems: fibrous and tap. Fibrous roots are those that have many branches of the same size. Tap roots have a single large root. The tap root is the most common part of the plant that we eat. Examples include carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips.


Tubers are underground plant structures that are enlarged to store plant nutrients. They are used by plants to survive the winter or dry months and provide energy and nutrients for re-growth during the growing season. Tubers have leathery skin and growing points where new plants can develop. Potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, and Jerusalem artichokes are tubers.


Bulbs are planted in the ground and act as an underground storehouse. In the center of the bulb is a bud, ready to sprout when the environment is right. If you were to dissect the bulb, the bud inside looks like a miniature flower! The bud is surrounded by scales that contain nutrients the bulb will need to flower. Examples of bulbs are onions, garlic, green onions, and fennel.


Activity
It grows in soil, but can I eat it? There are many underground edibles that are a part of our diets! Rearrange the circled letters in the facts below to learn more about underground edibles.


(T)he firs(t) fo(o)d ever gr(o)wn in outer s(p)(a) ce. ______
Used (i)n the 1700s to (p)rovide feed fo(r) cat(t)le d(u)ring the w(i)nter.______
Since the 1700s, it has (b)een us(e)d as a na(t)ural dy(e). ____
(O)riginally purple in (c)olor, this vege(t)able o(r)iginated in cent(r)al (A)sia. ______


Square Roots
If you have a garden space of 4.5 ft. x 4.5 ft., how many onion seeds can you plant? Determine the perimeter and area for the garden space. Space requirements: Allow 2 inches between each seed and 18 inches between rows.


Standards: Mathematics – Grade 3: Measurement and Geometry 1.2, 1.4; Mathematical Reasoning 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, Grade 4: Measurement and Geometry 1.1, 1.4 


Underground Fun Facts
In California, we grow more sweet potatoes than russet, red, white, and gold potatoes.
The majority of garlic grown in the United States comes from California.
Sulfuric compounds are what irritate your eyes and cause you to cry when cutting onions.


 


Source: Purdue University www.hort.purdue.edu


Activity


Can you grow a carrot using only the top ¼ inch of a carrot root? Form a hypothesis and develop an experiment. Take measurements and record your observations over time.


 Standards: Science – Grade 3: 3a, 3d, 5a, 5c, 5d, 5e; Grade 4: 3b, 6b, 6c; Grade 5: 2a, 6c, 6f; Grade 6: 7a, 7b; Grade 7: 5a, 7c; Grade 8: 9a


In the Know 'bout H20
An aquifer is an underground bed or layer of permeable rock saturated with water that farmers can use.


Nutritional Values:
These specialty crops are high in:


Carrots Garlic


Beta carotene and fiber Vitamins B6 and C


Radishes Vitamin C and calcium Beets


Vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron


Did You Know?
Baby carrots are regular carrots cut into two inch pieces.


 


 

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15