Planting, growing, and harvesting radishes
Radishes are great to add to your home garden. These superfoods are filled with vitamins and have so many benefits that we will be looking at them a bit later. But how do we plant, grow and harvest radishes?
Some facts about radish
Radishes are hardy, cool-season vegetables that can produce crops from season to season. Radishes are easily grown, also the seeds of radishes can be planted in the spring and fall.
How to plant?
- Plant radishes in a sunny location that gets about 6 hours of sunlight. The soil should be a well- drain soil because radishes don’t like wet feet. It is good to use an organic soil mix or compost which will help to absorb the right amount of water and fertilizer
- The seeds of radishes should be planted half an inch to an inch deep in rows 12 inches apart
- The seeds of radishes will germinate anywhere from 4-10 days
- Keep veggies well watered but be careful not to overwater
- Use an organic fertilizer
How to grow radishes
Pest of radish
Common pest problem of radishes is root maggots, flea beetles, cutworms, pillbugs, cabbage loopers, Harlequin, and aphids. These uninvited guests can be a menace but the good news is garden pests can get run out of town allowing you to reap a good harvest.
Control measures
Here is some control measure that has proven to be effective in the control of these garden pests.
Chemical control
- The use of insecticidal soaps and oil sprays makes a great choice. When using these chemicals read and follow the label because the label is the law.
Cultural control of radishes
- Keep garden areas well weeded
- Remove debris from the plant bed
- The use of a floating cover of polyester fabric to cover seeds is effective
Biological control
Releasing beneficial insects in your garden is a good and safe way to protect your garden plants for more on biological control follow these links. Releasing beneficial insects and garden integrated pest management.
Diseases control of radishes
- Keep your garden area weed-free
- Give your plants the right amount of water overwatering can cause root rot
- Damping-off is caused by planting seeds in damp moist soils
- White rust is another disease that appears as pustules on flowers and foliage. The use of a fungicide is effective
- Alternaria blight causes a black-dark yellowish spot on plant foliage that may cause leaves to drop. Watering in the morning is good it allows leaves to dry, applying a fungicide and crop rotation is a must
- Downy mildew, Fusarium rot, and wilt are caused by a fungus. Control by allowing air circulation by thinning plants and reducing watering also remove and properly discard infected plants
Harvesting radishes
Now comes the fun part where you get to reap the rewards of your labor. Harvesting radishes depend on the varieties. But in general, radishes can be harvested 3 weeks after planting.
Vitamins of radishes
Vitamin B-6, Vitamin k, Calcium, Niacin, Folate, Potassium, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Phosphorous, and Sodium.
The health benefits of radishes are numerous.
- Is a good source of fiber that aids in bowel movement
- Promotes heart health
- Controls blood pressure
- Loaded with antioxidants to help the body get rid of free radicals
- Improves immunity
- Promotes healthy skin
- Improves hair health
These are just a few of the many benefits of this superfood.
The Final word
Radishes are a must to add to your home garden, the benefits of this veggie can really promote good health keeping you in the best shape ever, so go ahead and take advantage of this superfood that is so amazing.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Thanks for sharing with us
I also more favor vegetable which can ready to eat a different way. But in Sri Lanka, cannot see such color radishes. Is there any difference between white and red color radishes? You do not use any harmful chemicals for radishes. Anyway, you also provide information make organic radishes for own use. Of course, your information is more important, because, How to plant, How to grow, how to use Chemical, Harvest in 3 weeks from planting. In Sri Lanka also same, not use the chemical for house use, it may use large cultivation.
Thus, the very very important thing is, what are the Health benefits when it uses.
Actually, marvelous and more informative article and thanks for sharing with us.
Hello and thanks so much for responding, white radish has a more mild taste, sweet with a crisp. The red radish however has somewhat of a spicy flavor above a few other things hope this help all the best to you and have a good day.
Hi Norman,
Growing radishes look interesting. They start with seeds, right?
We only have a short summer in Canada, we tend to plant tomatoes, beans and mustard only.
Maybe, we will try radishes this summer if they take only 3 weeks to be harvested.
Do you have a bountiful garden yourself?
Thanks for the information.
Marita
Hello so nice to meet you radish can be stated with seeds or seedlings (young plant). Sorry to hair about the short summer you have. Maybe you can try growing them from containers using grow lights, that may help. I have a herb garden and a few flowering plants along with a lawn. My yard looks great after it is been nicely cut. Thanks so much for commenting, wishing you the best of success.
I’m wanting to start a garden in my back yard and I have ideas of what I would like to grown. Radishes were never on that list, but now they are! I had no idea of the health benefits. That alone has sold me on wanting to grown radishes. I actually have your site bookmarked. You provide great information. Thanks!
Hello Tiffany so good to meet you and I am so happy that I could help. Wishing you the best of success. All the best to you and please let me know how it goes. Have a good day.