How to grow radishes - Including how to sow the seeds
The radish is a small, round, reddish-pink vegetable that with its crunchy texture and slightly strong flavour makes a lively addition to any summer salad.
Although these vegetables are small in size, they are rich in vitamins and minerals including calcium, iodine, iron, phosphorous and potassium.
Although these vegetables are small in size, they are rich in vitamins and minerals including calcium, iodine, iron, phosphorous and potassium.
Many aromatherapists use radishes to combat flu and colds, as well as to detoxify the liver and kidneys.
The radish is very easy and quick to grow, which is why it is often introduced to children or novice gardeners, as results are produced within a matter of weeks.
The radish is very easy and quick to grow, which is why it is often introduced to children or novice gardeners, as results are produced within a matter of weeks.
Types of radish
There are a number of varieties of radish that are grown all over the world that range in size, colour and shape. The traditional radish is small, round and red with a white tip. Larger varieties include those grown in Asia and are more oval in shape and white in colour.
Smaller varieties of radish will be ready to harvest approximately 1 month after sowing but larger varieties will take up to 3 or 4 months.
Radishes can be grown throughout the year, as there are summer and winter varieties available.
Smaller varieties of radish will be ready to harvest approximately 1 month after sowing but larger varieties will take up to 3 or 4 months.
Radishes can be grown throughout the year, as there are summer and winter varieties available.
Soil conditions for growing radishes
You can plant radishes in most types of soil although they prefer a well-draining soil that is light, moist and that contains plenty of humus.
Climate conditions for growing radishes
Choose a sunny spot to sow radishes, but bear in mind that they are partial to cool weather conditions as well. Too much sun and temperatures that are too high will cause the plants to bolt or go to seed. Good growing companions for radishes are peas or beans as they protect the radish plants from the strong sun during the summer with their foliage.
Soil preparation
The radish bed requires a small amount of preparation before the seeds are sown.
The soil should be dug over about a month before planting but it is not necessary to add any organic matter such as compost or manure. Remove stones and debris plus any weeds that may be present and water if the soil is dry.
Just before you are due to sow the radish seeds, apply a few handfuls of bonemeal to the top soil and rake over so that a fine tilth is produced.
The soil should be dug over about a month before planting but it is not necessary to add any organic matter such as compost or manure. Remove stones and debris plus any weeds that may be present and water if the soil is dry.
Just before you are due to sow the radish seeds, apply a few handfuls of bonemeal to the top soil and rake over so that a fine tilth is produced.
Sowing the radish seeds
The radish seeds are sown from March until June at 2 - 3 week intervals so that you do not have a glut of radishes when you come to harvest the crop. It is best to sow the seeds after the last frosts unless using a cloche or some other form of protection.
Sow the seeds thinly in drills that are spaced approximately 15cm (6inch) apart. Cover the seeds with soil and firm down. Germination should take place within a few days.
After 10 - 15 days, thin the seedlings to 2.5cm (1inch) apart, always removing the weakest plants, and water.
Sow the seeds thinly in drills that are spaced approximately 15cm (6inch) apart. Cover the seeds with soil and firm down. Germination should take place within a few days.
After 10 - 15 days, thin the seedlings to 2.5cm (1inch) apart, always removing the weakest plants, and water.
Caring for the radish seedlings
Water the radish seedlings once a week, or more in very dry conditions. Also ensure that weeds are removed, as they will try to compete with the seedlings for water and nutrients.
You may have to deal with pests such as birds, slugs and flea beetles. Birds can be kept at bay by covering the seedlings with a net, and slugs can be deterred by pouring a little grit or sand around the base of the plants. Flea beetles love plants that are dry and so to repel these pesky leaf-munching insects, ensure that your radish seedlings are always well watered.
For the best-looking and tasting radishes it is really important that they are kept moist at all times and do not dry out, as the bulbs will not develop properly and will develop unsightly cracks in the flesh.
You may have to deal with pests such as birds, slugs and flea beetles. Birds can be kept at bay by covering the seedlings with a net, and slugs can be deterred by pouring a little grit or sand around the base of the plants. Flea beetles love plants that are dry and so to repel these pesky leaf-munching insects, ensure that your radish seedlings are always well watered.
For the best-looking and tasting radishes it is really important that they are kept moist at all times and do not dry out, as the bulbs will not develop properly and will develop unsightly cracks in the flesh.
Harvesting the radishes
A number of varieties of radish will produce crops that are ready to harvest in approximately 30 days.
Radishes are always best when eaten fresh and as soon after picking as possible. Once they reach a size of 5cm (2inch) in diameter they will be ready to harvest. If radishes are left in the ground for too long, they loose their crispiness and taste, and eventually end up dry and with holes inside them.
If seeds were sown at intervals, you should be able to harvest your radishes for a period of a few months.
Radishes may be stored in the refrigerator for about 5 days or if stored in sand in a cool, dark room, they will keep for 1 month.
After your first harvest of radishes it is possible to repeat the sowing process for a second crop that lasts throughout the later stages of the summer.
Radishes are always best when eaten fresh and as soon after picking as possible. Once they reach a size of 5cm (2inch) in diameter they will be ready to harvest. If radishes are left in the ground for too long, they loose their crispiness and taste, and eventually end up dry and with holes inside them.
If seeds were sown at intervals, you should be able to harvest your radishes for a period of a few months.
Radishes may be stored in the refrigerator for about 5 days or if stored in sand in a cool, dark room, they will keep for 1 month.
After your first harvest of radishes it is possible to repeat the sowing process for a second crop that lasts throughout the later stages of the summer.
