Vegetable Planting

Growing radishes is ideal way to introduce new or impatient gardeners to the hobby. Some radishes are ready within six weeks of planting – possibly sooner if you have good weather.

Apart from taking such a short amount of time to grow, the other great thing about radishes is that they are not too fussy about where you put them in your garden. The ideal spot is somewhere that receives partial sun. If you give them too much light they will go to seed quickly. Too much shade, and they will not flourish.

If your soil is not enriched with composted organic matter do not worry – radishes will thrive in most types of soil. Just make sure that the ground is moist before you start planting.

Prepare the Soil

Rake over the soil to remove large stones and break down any clods of earth you find. Next dig a small channel along the length of your intended row that is half an inch deep. Place the seeds in this miniature trench and cover lightly with soil, and wait!

Thinning out your seedlings

After between 5-7 days the seedlings should come up. Keep watering them and wait a further 10 days so that you can assess which ones can stay and which must go. This is when you have to be brutal and thin out the weaker looking plants to make way for the stronger ones to have the best chance. When you have done this, water the plants regularly to ensure that the radishes will be tasty.

Harvest time

The most satisfying part of growing radishes is of course harvesting and eating them. They are ready when they are about half an inch long. Do not leave them much longer than that, as the radish will take on a woody texture and become tasteless.

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