Digging Into Carrots: A Root Vegetable Story

Hop, hop!

Did you know carrots grow underground?

That’s right—carrots are called root vegetables because the part we eat grows down in the soil, not up in the air. While we see the leafy green tops waving in the wind, the crunchy orange carrot is busy growing below the surface.

What Is a Root Vegetable?

Root vegetables grow by digging deep into the ground. Their roots help them:

• Soak up water

• Collect nutrients from the soil

• Stay strong and healthy as they grow

Carrots are just one type of root vegetable. Potatoes, beets, and turnips grow this way too—but carrots might be the most famous of them all!

Why Do Carrots Grow Underground?

Growing underground helps carrots stay:

• Cool

• Protected

• Safe from weather like wind and frost

The soil acts like a cozy blanket while the carrot grows bigger and sweeter. When it’s ready, farmers pull it out of the ground—just like a bunny digging one up for lunch!

From Soil to Snack

Carrots don’t just appear in the grocery store. They start as tiny seeds planted in the soil. With sunlight, water, and time, they grow into crunchy vegetables that we can:

• Crunch raw

• Cook in soups

• Roast for dinner

• Or snack on anytime

And yes—carrots are good for you, too! They help keep your eyes healthy and give your body energy to hop, play, and learn.

Think Like a Bunny 🐰

Next time you see a carrot, imagine what’s happening underground. What other vegetables might be hiding below the soil? What do you think it feels like to grow in the dark?

Just like carrots, sometimes the most important growing happens where we can’t see it.

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🥕 Did You Know?

🥕 Carrots are not always orange! Carrots can be purple, yellow, white, or red.

🌱 Carrots start as tiny seeds, smaller than a grain of rice.

🌍 Carrots grow best in loose soil so they can stretch long and straight underground.

🐰 Bunnies don’t eat carrots all the time—but they do enjoy them as a crunchy treat!

🥕 The green tops are edible, too! Some people use carrot tops to make pesto.

👀 Carrots help keep your eyes healthy because they contain vitamins your body needs.

❄️ Carrots can stay in the ground during cool weather, and cold soil can even make them taste sweeter.