Radishes ripen incredibly quickly (for some varieties it only takes 3 weeks from seed to plant maturity) and are very hardy. Their spicy taste enriches the flavor of soups and salads, and they require little space in the garden. Read on if you want to know how to grow radishes successfully!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparations
Step 1. Determine which variety you want to grow
Like many other vegetables, there are countless varieties of radishes you can find, both hybrid and naturally pollinated. If you are a novice gardener, you can consider Cherry Belle radishes which ripen in just 22 days and have a mild flavor.
- Spring radishes are the variety that people find most familiar (like Cherry Belle, which is red on the outside and white on the inside). Be sure to grow this strain in the spring or fall. This type of radish also has very fast growth.
- Summer radish is generally similar to spring radish, but tends to grow more slowly, as it takes about 6-8 weeks to mature.
- The winter radish is much larger and starchy than the spring and summer varieties, and it takes longer to grow. The ideal time to sow it is in late summer, to be able to harvest it in autumn or winter. Among the winter radishes are the Daikon and the Champions; the former can grow up to 45cm in length and takes 60 days to mature.
Step 2. Choose the right site to grow them
These vegetables should be planted in an area with full sun or partial shade and in loose, well-draining soil. Remove any stones from the ground, as the roots fork and tangle around the rocks they encounter in their path. Add some organic material to the soil before planting them.
- Make sure they are always exposed to plenty of sunlight; otherwise, they tend to develop a lot in the upper part and instead much less at the root level. However, it is important to know that the warmer the soil, the spicier the radish will be, which is one of the reasons why you shouldn't plant them in the height of summer. Also, if you expose them to too much sun they will inflorescence.
- The soil must be free of rocks, well-draining and have a pH level between 5, 8 and 6, 8. Make sure the soil is rich in organic material (such as compost).
Step 3. Schedule time for sowing radishes
This is a cool climate vegetable, and it would be best to plant it in spring or autumn. Growing these vegetables during the hot summer months will keep them going to seed. You can consider planting your first crop at least two weeks before the last spring frost, as radishes tolerate frost well.
- It is advisable not to sow them when it starts to get hot. This means that if there are a few consecutive days with a temperature of 16 ° C or higher, you should wait to plant them until the weather gets cooler.
- Keep in mind that a typical spring radish variety takes about 5 days to germinate, and can be harvested after 3-4 weeks.
- Since radishes grow so fast, they also act as convenient separators in your garden, so you can consider growing them in alternating rows with those of other slow-growing vegetables.
Part 2 of 3: Cultivation
Step 1. Plant the seeds
You need to plant them about 1.5cm deep and spaced at least 3cm apart. When they germinate, thin out the strongest seedlings by about 5cm apart, but leave more room for the larger varieties. The rows should be about 30 cm away from each other.
- You need to thin them out when they have grown about 2-3 cm. It is sufficient to cut the apical part of it with a pair of small and sharp scissors until it is even with the ground.
- If you want to grow a large variety of radish, the seeds should be planted about 2-4 cm deep.
- Radishes grow best in intercropping with other plants, because in this way they ward off many insects and pests of normal plants and grow faster. Then plant them next to the carrots, parsnips, and cabbage.
Step 2. Water the radishes as they grow
Keep the soil moist, but don't soak it too much. Wetting them often and evenly ensures rapid growth; if they develop too slowly, they become spicy and woody. Add compost to the soil if desired.
If you don't water them evenly (for example, don't wet them for a couple of days and then soak them with too much water) the radishes can crack
Step 3. Harvest your vegetables
Radishes are ready to harvest when the roots are about 2.5cm in diameter, although you should always check the seed package to know for sure when they are ripe. To collect them, simply pull the whole plant from the ground with your hands.
- You can move some earth to see if the root has formed a bulb; in this case, pick up a couple of radishes and taste them. This lets you know if they are ready to be picked up.
- Unlike many other root vegetables, radishes cannot be left in the ground, otherwise they become hard and shriveled.
Step 4. Clean and store them
Remove dirt and other debris with your hands and then store the radishes in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks. Wash them with water before eating them.
Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Tackle mushroom problems
There are several types of mushrooms that can kill this vegetable or spoil its taste to the point of making it inedible. Generally, the signs of a fungal infection are very visible and you can easily observe them, in order to find an adequate and timely treatment.
- If yellow and light gray spots appear on the leaves, your radishes may have septoria, a fungal disease that creates spots on the leaves. If you see your plants suffering from it, you need to make sure the soil is well draining (the water doesn't have to stay stagnant) and add organic matter (like compost), then you need to get rid of infected radishes. To avoid this problem, you need to rotate crops so that you don't plant the same type of vegetable in the same spot every time. In addition, remove any plant residue from the garden (dead plants or weeds that you have pulled out).
- If you notice light green spots starting to form on the upper side of the leaves and you see some kind of purple fuzz on the underside, it could be downy mildew, another type of fungus. In this case, get rid of the infected plants and make sure you don't overwater the others. Avoid that the radishes are too close to each other and thin out the seedlings. To avoid late blight, be sure to rotate crops and keep the garden free of plant residues.
- If the leaves turn yellow between the veins, the edges turn brown and curl upwards, the base of the stem turns dark brown or slimy black, then it could be Leptosphaeria maculans, a fungal disease. Again, add organic material, such as compost, to the soil and make sure the soil drains properly (it shouldn't hold too much water and you shouldn't water too much). To prevent radishes from getting sick with this fungus, be sure to implement crop rotation.
Step 2. Get rid of pests
Mushrooms are not the only source of problems for this vegetable. Some insects can enter plants and feed on them to the point of death. Many times it is possible to avoid these infestations by keeping the base of the soil clean and free of plant residues and weeds. If you still notice their presence, there are ways to deal with and eliminate them.
- If the leaves take on a faded appearance and you notice grooves and tunnels in the roots, the plant may have root worms. These tiny creatures are small, gray / white in color and legless. Flies lay their eggs in the ground next to the plant. To get rid of it you need to add lime or wood ash to the base of the plants. Wait to plant radishes until the weather gets drier to avoid the worm's life cycle.
- If you notice small holes appearing on the leaves, it could be chrysomelids. These small creatures have bronze or black armor and are about 1.5mm long. If you find your seedlings are infested with these insects, sprinkle diatomaceous earth, a type of soft sedimentary rock that easily crumbles into a fine white powder, which acts as a natural "killer" for these pests. You should also keep the soil active all the time, cultivating every year, in order to interrupt the life cycle of these beetles.
- If the plants have whitish or yellow spots, the leaves are deformed or the plants have wilted, it could be Murgantia histrionica. This insect, black in color with yellow or red or orange spots, sucks the sap from the plant tissue of the radish. Collect and destroy all insects and egg masses. To try to keep them away from your garden, be sure to keep the soil free and clean of the habitats they prefer to reproduce, such as crop residues and weeds.
- If the leaves become dull yellow, curl and become fragile, the plant may have contracted "Aster Yellow", a disease spread by the mycoplasma Cicalina. If this is the case for you, eradicate the infested plant or plants and control the population of these pests by keeping the soil free of weeds and organic residues.
Step 3. Check the terrain
The temperature and the type of soil, in addition to the irrigation methods, are fundamental factors for growing radishes in the optimal way. Remember that you must try to wet the soil evenly (never wet it too much) and ensure a correct pH level.
- If radishes take on a too spicy or too pungent taste, it probably means that the soil is too dry or the soil temperature is too high (over 32 ° C). To protect the roots and cool the soil, add 5-7cm of organic mulch. Water the radishes 2-3 hours at a time and then wait until the soil has dried to at least 10cm deep.
- If the roots are shriveled and woody, it means that the soil temperature is probably too high and the irrigation is irregular. Make sure the roots are covered in soil to keep them cool, and that they get evenly wet. Also, be sure to harvest the radishes as soon as they reach a suitable size to prevent them from over-developing and breaking apart.
Advice
- Radishes can also be grown in pots and indoors, if the conditions are right.
- If radishes are in bloom, do not eliminate them immediately. When the flowers are wilted, they produce spicy and crunchy seeds, if you harvest them when they are soft and green.
