Before they are fully mature, radish seed pods are tender and juicy with a wonderfully sharp flavor that is excellent in stir-fries and soups.
Plant and go
Botanical name: Raphanus sativus
| Depth: ¼-½" | Spacing: 1-3" | Row: 12" | Temp: 65-85F | Germ: 5-10 days |
| Sun: Full/ 6-8 hrs | pH: 6.5-7.0 | Harvest: 3-4 wks | Soil: well drained | Container: 6x6" |
| Fertilizer: 5-10-5 | Fert Freq: Once | |||
Radish seeds can germinate in as little as three days and be ready for eating in under four weeks from planting. For a spring planting, sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost. For a fall crop, sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the first fall frost. Sow seeds ¼-1/2in deep, 1-3in apart, rows 12in. Make sure soil is loose for a minimum of 6in deep, and all rocks and roots removed. Germination usually takes 5-10 days depending on variety. Pick a spot that has full sun for min of 6 hours. Too much shade and radishes will focus on leaf growth instead of root growth. Best temperature for quality roots is said to be 50-65F, but 65-85F is average temperatures a radish is happy in. Add organic matter before sowing, avoid fresh manure or fertilizers high in nitrogen; overly rich soil will encourage lush foliage at the expense of radish roots. 16-20-0 is recommended formula. Water once a week, 1 inch per week. They are fast growers and doesn’t require a lot of care. Plants do not like to be transplanted.
Harvest
Radishes are usually ready to harvest when the leaves are 4 inches tall. Or the shoulder of the root sticks out of the ground there ready to harvest. Leaving in the ground for too long the plant may bolt. Harvest promptly when radishes are the size of large marbles. The leaves and developing seedpods are also tasty. The whole plant is edible, although the leaves can be tough and bitter tasting. Most people grow radishes for the crunchy, sometimes spicy roots.
Tip
-If you have radishes with more than a half-inch visible above ground, soil compaction is probably the culprit
-10 radishes can be grown in one 5-gallon bucket
Fun Fact
-The heaviest radish weighs 101 lb. 1.8 oz and was grown by a company in -Japan Manda Fermentation Co., Ltd.
-Some radishes are grow for there seeds which make a good biofuel.
Conclusion
Radishes are easy to grow and make a great companion plant. What ever variety you choose to grow these super veggies make gardening look easy. Throw a few seeds in a container, or in your garden and see how many you can grow.