Radish, scientific name Raphanus sativus, is an annual or biennial plant depending on the species, which is known throughout the world for the culinary value of its roots, as some do not have much flavor while others are pungent. It is a plant that finds its origin in the Eurasia area, but has now spread globally.
if you want to learn how to plant and grow radishes To be able to enjoy its consumption in an ecological way, join us in this EcologíaVerde article in which we will teach you how to do it correctly step by step.
When to plant radishes
The most common is sow radishes in spring, two weeks before the last frost, but most varieties of this plant can be grown throughout the spring to fall period. In fact, plant them every 15 days to be able to harvest them in stages and thus enjoy a recent harvest for longer is a fairly widespread and recommended practice.
If you choose a spring radish such as cherry belle, which are the most common, you can start seeds in the spring or fall. Summer radishes, on the other hand, grow somewhat more slowly and winter radishes, such as daikon, are much larger, have more starch content and are planted in late summer.
How to plant radishes
Radishes do not need to be transplanted, so they can be planted directly in their final location, both outdoors and in containers that have a suitable bottom depending on the size of the species to be planted. follow these tips for growing radishes successfully:
- Choose an area that receives full sun or partial shade, depending on the type of climate in your area. If you have a particularly hot climate, it will be better to give them some shade, while, if it is a temperate zone, it will be better to expose it to as much sun as possible.
- It is also important that the soil has good drainage and that it has a pH around 7.4. With lower pH, you risk the cabbage hernia fungus showing up and infecting your radishes. If your soil pH is below this value, you can raise it with lime.
- At least a week before planting, enrich the soil with abundant organic mattersince these plants are very demanding when it comes to nutrients.
- Bury the seeds about 1cm deep, separated from each other about 2 or 3 centimeters. If you plant in a garden, in several rows, respect about 30 centimeters between rows.
- Water after planting the seeds, and do it again every time the soil looks dry. A common variety of spring radish will germinate in about 3-5 days if all goes well.
How to grow radishes – basic care
We have already discussed the sun needs and soil pH of this plant. Therefore, below, we talk about more details to learn how to grow radishes correctly with these basic care:
watering the radishes
As far as watering is concerned, radishes need abundant and, above all, uniform watering. You must water regularly every time the earth cracks, although without ever flooding. If you go several days without watering and then water heavily to compensate, your radishes will likely crack as they grow.
fertilizer for radishes
Fertilize radishes two weeks after planting to give them an extra supply of nutrients to help grow their roots. Find out more about organic fertilizer: what it is, its types and how to do it at home in this other EcologíaVerde post.
Coexistence with other plants in the garden
Also, pay special attention to removing weeds, which can rob radishes of nutrients from the soil and make them grow less. Also note that this plant works great as a companion plant in the garden as it keeps many insects away. They will work especially well alongside cabbages, carrots, and parsnips.
How to grow more horseradish
If you want your radishes to taste spicier than usual, you can play with the watering: reducing it increases that aspect of their flavour.
If you notice something strange in the appearance of your plants, you can consult this other article in which we talk about Radish Growth Problems.
When to harvest radishes
When your roots have a diameter about 2.5cm, most varieties will be ready for harvest. Keep in mind that larger varieties will naturally require a larger size before harvesting. Don’t let them rise too long or they will become tough and unsightly in texture. Also, if they go to seed, their flavor will be spoiled.
Remove the surrounding soil and use a shovel to extract the radishes from below and without damaging them. Once harvested, they should be consumed while fresh, although you can store them in a cool, dark area for up to 15 days.
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