<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n9. Dealing with Pests and Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n In most gardens, radishes grow readily, without any issues occurring related to disease and pests. Since radishes finish early, they are not in the ground for long enough a time to contract any diseases or pest infestations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you grow your radishes later in the season, you’ll have to learn to deal with pests on your plants. Flea beetles are a significant concern for growers, with the insects making tiny holes in the leaves that reduce the plant’s ability to produce food for itself through photosynthesis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slugs and snails are also a concern for radish growers, chewing into the base of the plant, creating grooves in otherwise healthy roots. Sudden deluges may cause the radish to split and rot, wasting the plant. Always make sure you harvest your radishes on time, as leaving them in the ground invite insects into your garden, where they spread through the rest of your crop, damaging your harvest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n10. Fungi Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Various strains of fungi are detrimental to your vegetable garden. Fungi show up in humid or wet conditions. It’s for this reason that you should avoid watering your garden every day. Give the soil time to dry out between watering to prevent the growth of fungi on your plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, this is easier said than done, and many gardens develop fungal infections, especially in a humid or wet climate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most common fungal infections affected radishes comes from the Septoria leaf spot. This disease creates grey and yellow spots on the radish leaves, and its vital that you remove the leaves as quickly as possible to stop the spread of the fungi to other plants in the vegetable garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downy mildew is another common fungus affecting radishes. If you start to notice pale green spots appearing on the top of leaves, then cut back on your watering and toss out all the affected plant material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n11. Use Radishes as Spacers for Other Crops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Radishes finish quickly, and they are among the first plants in the ground after the spring thaws the ground. Root vegetables do well in colder conditions, so they have no trouble growing root systems, even if there is a late cold snap before spring officially gets underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to the rapid growth of radishes, along with their short stature, makes them the ideal companion plant for many other veggies growing in your garden. Plant a radish between peppers or zucchini to give them room. The radishes loosen the soil, making it easier for the other plants to spread roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Radishes will finish long before your peppers or zucchini, making them the ideal companion plant for your garden. Some varieties of radishes finish in as little as 23-days after planting. As a result of this fast-finishing process, you can plant multiple rounds of radishes during the growing season. Radishes do not leave pathogens in the ground like strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n12. Remember to Rotate Your Crops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Rotating your crops is a vital practice that ensures your vegetables and radishes reach maturity and provide a substantial yield on harvest day. When planting your garden, leave a quarter of the space open, planting in the other three quarters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This strategy allows you to rest this section of soil for a second round of planting later in the season. As plants grow, they absorb the minerals in the ground, reducing the viability of your garden. If you try to plant a fresh radish in the same spot as the one you pulled this morning, then you may find that your second plant does not grow as readily, and the roots may be thin and bitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rotating your crops also helps you to avoid diseases like downy mildew and leaf spot. Keep your garden clear of debris and remove all old or dead foliage to prevent the spread of disease in your crops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n13. Harvesting Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Radishes grow fast, with some varieties maturing in as little as three and a half weeks. It’s for this reason that gardeners can get away with three or four succession plantings before the close of the growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A good rule of thumb for pulling radishes from the flowerbed is to wait until they are around 1-inch in diameter at the surface. Before you pull the entire plant, try one of the radishes to see if they are ready for harvest. Picking your radishes too early will result in woody, flavorless roots that taste terrible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s also essential to ensure that you don’t leave your radishes in the ground after they are ready for pulling. Leaving the radishes in the garden past the pulling date results in a rapid deterioration of the radish, and you may find that they start to rot, spreading pathogens through the soil that may affect the health of the other plants in the garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n14. Tips for Storing Radishes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n After harvesting your radishes, you need to wash them before sending them to storage. Fill a sink with water and add a tablespoon of baking soda. The baking soda cleanses the surface of the radish, removing any pathogens from the surface of the vegetable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After rinsing your radishes, make sure that you dry them properly. Storing wert radishes will cause the onset of rot in your root cellar, with mold spreading quickly to destroy your stores. Before storage, trim the radish greens and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the radishes are dry, it’s time to send them to your root cellar, where you can store them for up to three months. You can also put the radishes in the crisper tray of your fridge to keep them fresh. Serve radishes, whole, sliced or roasted. You can also process radishes into a sauce to season meals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n