{"id":2517,"date":"2019-06-12T07:33:03","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T07:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2517"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:36:29","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:36:29","slug":"14-gardener-advice-for-growing-radishes-in-your-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-gardener-advice-for-growing-radishes-in-your-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Gardener Advice for Growing Radishes in Your Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to growing radishes, they are the easiest vegetable to grow, but for some people there are still things that they are unsure of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New gardeners need to start out with radishes because as soon as you plant them, in a few days they will start sprouting. Radishes are fully matured in 21 days. That\u2019s how fast they grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New gardeners want to know what the secret of growing radishes in the garden is. The first thing you need to decide is if you want spring or winter radishes. Most people don\u2019t want to mess with a garden in the winter since they have to go out in the cold to tend to the radishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one thing you will need to know is that radishes need to be planted when the weather is cool, so that when you harvest them, they will be crispy with a mild flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pick an area in the yard that has plenty of suns. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The area should get at least six hours of sun. Radishes need the sun, but not too much heat. When the weather gets too hot, the radishes won\u2019t do too well. It would be a good idea to plant the radishes out in the open. That way the sun could bear down on them all of the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in an area where there are a lot of trees, find a place where there aren\u2019t too many trees blocking the sun. The radishes won\u2019t bloom as fast because they aren\u2019t getting enough sun. For instance, if most of the sun goes to the front part of your house, you may have to consider planting them there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would be best to try to find a spot on the side of the house instead of directly in front of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Use a small space for planting radishes. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

They grow so fast, there is no need to have rows and rows of them. They will continue to grow and if you don\u2019t eat radishes that often, you will be stuck with bunches of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most gardeners will plant other vegetables along with radishes, especially vegetables that are slow-growing, such as carrots. Once the carrots need space, the radishes will be done. You could use the space that the radishes were in for the carrots. On the other hand, you can continue to grow the radishes and sell them for a profit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a child who want to start gardening, growing radishes is a good idea since it doesn\u2019t need that much space. They can have their own little area in the yard to grow their radishes. Once they are ready to be picked, the child can pick them out on his or her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Use soil that is well-drained. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t use soil that is overly rich. There is no need for user fertilizers that are high in nitrogen or fresh manure. You may be able to get away with using potting soil. Just look at the back of the package and see if it is a type of soil that is well-drained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you place the soil down, place it down heavily. You want your seeds to be covered in soil. Just using plain ground dirt won\u2019t do much for your radishes. In fact, the radishes won\u2019t even grow. If they do grow, they won\u2019t have that crisp taste. When growing radishes, you want a crispy and mild flavor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The right soil allows for the roots to be strong, which is needed for radishes. When you pull the radishes up, some of the soil will still be on them, so just brush it off gently. There is no need to bruise the radish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Water the radishes sparingly. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Radishes need water, but not too much. touch the soil to see if it\u2019s dry and if so, water it. Don\u2019t water the radish. Just water the soil.  If you get the radishes too wet, they will rot and split. On the other hand, if they are too dry, they will have a strong taste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radishes need to have a mild flavor. Plant food can be added at you plant them. They will provide nutrients to the roots and make them strong. Radishes provide Vitamin C and iron. When growing radishes, you want to do everything possible to help them to grow. They will grow even faster with plant food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you water the soil, use a water hose or watering pot. It will be much easier and quicker to get to the soil than using a household cup. When it\u2019s dry, you need to make sure all of the soil gets moist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Mulch the radishes. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mulch keeps insects away. The kind of mulch you need to use needs to have wood ash in it. Mulch keeps root maggots away and the soil moist. You won\u2019t need to water the soil often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulch adds a decorative feel to the radishes as well. Bugs carry diseases and you want to do everything possible to keep them away from your radishes. When you pick the radishes, you need to check for holes. If it looks like it\u2019s been chewed on, trash it. You don\u2019t want to put bug-infested radishes in your mouth. It\u2019ll make you sick and you will not want to eat another radish or grow them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your first experience of growing radishes needs to be positive. Since you will have a small area for the radishes, you won\u2019t need that much mulch. Local nurseries will give you the amount of mulch you need in a small bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Thin the radishes when they become two-inch seedlings. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t thin them out, the radishes will shrivel up. You won\u2019t be able to eat them. They need to be thinned to about three inches. If you don\u2019t know how much two-inches is, just use a measuring tape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Measuring tape will become one of your best friends when you become a gardener. It is important to know how to thin the radishes out properly. If they remain too thick, they won\u2019t be good enough to eat. You want to taste what you grow and it needs to be perfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a child is growing their garden for the first time, parents should help him or her. Growing radishes could become a family activity. Parents will learn something new while helping their child. Once the radishes are ready to be pulled, wash them off thoroughly and taste them to see if they have the right taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Buy radish seeds from your local nursery or by mail. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When buying by mail choose a company that sells only gardening essentials. Seeds that are in the grocery store are made to have a long shelf life and won\u2019t grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since you have been told radishes mature in less than a month, you expect to see your radishes by then. For instance, if you want to grow your radishes in the spring, you\u2019ll need to order them in the winter and they will arrive by spring. It is a good idea to plant them after the last frost for your area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ground needs to be perfect when you plant your radish seeds. It will still be cool during the spring, which is fine. That\u2019s the kind of weather spring radishes love. When buying from a nursery, look at the expiration date, if there is one. You don\u2019t want to buy out of date radish seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Sow seeds every week. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you sow the seeds, you can choose a different variety, but make sure they are for the time of year you are sowing. For instance, if you sow in spring, sow a few spring radishes every week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When sow weekly that allows you to keep a steady supply of radishes. If you love radishes, you don\u2019t want to run out. They will continue to grow when you pick the first batch. Since you will have a small space, you will need to continue to sow until the temperature reaches 65 degrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you continue sowing, they won\u2019t grow and go back to being seeds. If you want to continue growing radishes, buy winter radishes and plant them in the late summer. They need to be harvested once fall comes around. Spring radishes can be sown as well in the late summer. They just need to be picked before it gets too cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. 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\n

10. 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\n

11. 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\n

12. 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\n

13. 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\n

14. 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