As the name implies, biennial plant vegetables belong to plants with a two-year life cycle. Those plants grow roots, stems, and leaves in the first year. Afterward, they will be quiescent when winter comes.
The plants will die in the second year after flowering and producing seeds.
It is easy to say that these plants achieve their complete life cycle within two years. Biennials develop during the months of fall or for producing roots, stems, and leaves.
Things to Know About Biennial Plants Vegetables and Their Growing Process
Now, let’s check which vegetables belong to biennial plants. Some of them include lettuce, spinach, and fennel. Such plants can bolt, which they can survive during the rising temperature.
This is why they manage to survive yet are indigestible the next year. When it happens, such plants will produce seeds or flowers without any growing leaves to ensure the upcoming generation’s survival.
There are still some other kinds of vegetables that belong to biennial plants. They include kale, Brussels sprouts, carrots, turnips, dill, celery, and Swiss chard. It is easy to conclude that such plants grow for a somewhat longer time, though the process is always rewarding.
However, it is not easy to plant biennial plants because they can grow well in certain areas. They grow in areas with a certain temperature. Those who live in tropical countries are lucky as biennial plants will grow very well.
How To Treat Biennial Plants Vegetables?
The fact is that biennial plants vary from vegetables and flowers. The treatment is very easy with very low maintenance. First, it is important to notice that these plants should get consistent watering.
For sure, it applies to all kinds of garden plants. The same thing applies to biennial plants that also require proper exposure to the sun to grow well. Those who live in four seasoned countries should water the plants one time only within a week during spring.
Increasing the frequency is highly recommended when the temperature is rising. But, make sure that the watering process doesn’t take more than three times within one week.
However, never expect to see the growing progress during the first season, though regular watering is still important.
Is It Necessary to Compost?
Most plants require composting. The soil with high nutrients will make plants grow well. Compost consists of organic particles, bacteria, and fungi to enrich soil nutrients. The plants will get good immunity whenever the soil is rich in nutrients. What’s more, the plants will have a longer life.
Another excellent method for giving nutrients to the soil is adding mulch to the soil’s top layer. Biennial vegetables will grow faster in the beginning. But, keep in mind that it is always recommended to use organic pesticides.
Is it necessary to use pesticides on biennial plants and vegetables? The fact is that all kinds of vegetables are very delicate to pests.
They include aphids, flea beetles, and so forth. Organic pesticides work well while they are still safe, as vegetables are very important for human health.
Growing Them Well
After discussing watering and composting, it is important to know that owners should also pay attention to the weeding process of the biennial plants. Weeding is very important to make those biennials grow well.
But, pay attention to the right time of weeding. It is best to weed during the morning. This is the right time because the soil is still damp. Pulling weeds will be much easier.
Those who live in tropical countries have to make sure that they don’t allow weeds to shade out the vegetables. Weeds can grow well during this season.
Besides weeding, pruning is also important. There are always dead foliages that will grow for the whole year. Removing them is strongly advised.
This is not only for growing biennial plants but also for improving the garden’s performance. Hence, there will be healthy growing plants in the next year that will occur continually.
Stay Organized
Biennial plant vegetables still need regular treatment that owners have to pay attention seriously. It is highly recommended to make a journal. By doing so, owners can track the progress of their plants. This is particularly when owners have a huge garden.
What are things to note in the journal? Note the time of planting, when owners find pests and the composting time. Yet, it is very recommended to provide details related to the vegetables’ growth.
Well, almost all vegetables are biennial. So, it is best to save seeds from them will need one season. Then, owners can store them before replanting them in the upcoming spring.
This is because the vegetables grow in the first year and accomplish reproduction in the coming year. This process may take longer, but those seeds are much stronger because seeds can acclimate to the local environment.