Radish has various beneficial properties for our health. It acts very well as an aid to maintain the proper functioning of the liver, controls blood pressure and helps cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract. As nutritional information, it contains a very low amount of fat, with 0.1 grams per 100. In addition, it is a good source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins C, B and K and minerals such as sodium, phosphorus or magnesium, among others. In we will teach you how and when to plant radishes.
Native in its day to Eurasia and the eastern Mediterranean, the radish or turnip is a plant known to all. Belonging to the genus Raphanus within the Brassicaceae family, it is cultivated around the world for its edible root, which can be white, red or black.
Because of its slightly spicy flavor and crunchy texture, you can use radish in an infinite number of ways. From sautéed or roasted, like almost all vegetables, to stewed or in the form of chips and even as a sauce.
Due to its short growing cycle and the little space, it requires, it is one of the simplest options for gardening enthusiasts. That growing cycle varies between 3 and 6 weeks, depending on the variety of radish we choose. If you are interested in knowing how and when to plant radishes, we explain it step by step later. Thus, you can get them grown even in your own home or garden.
What do you need for and when to plant radishes?
To sow and grow radishes, you will need the following elements:
- Earth.
- Water.
- Radish seeds.
Instructions for and when to sow radishes
As we explained earlier, radish is a plant with few needs in terms of space. You will need the soil to have a minimum depth of 10 cm. This should be a nourished and well-drained soil, like the soil of any orchard. The universal substrate is also valid, which you can find in an infinity of stores. Radishes can be sown during almost any time of the year, although the most suitable are usually spring and autumn.
Planting
First, make furrows in the soil where you are going to sow the radishes, 1 to 1.5 centimeters deep and separated by 8 to 12 centimeters between them. Then place seeds inside the furrows, each one separating about 5 centimeters. Cover them with soil or substrate and water them so that the soil stays moist.
Care
Radish plants will start around 10 days after planting, reaching the optimal state for harvest between 3 and 6 weeks after planting.
Make sure that the soil is always moist, but without watering it excessively. If you don’t water the plants enough, then your radishes will taste spicier. On the contrary, if you water them too much, you can cause disease, rot or the radish to break. In addition to humidity, it will be important that your plants receive a regular amount of sunlight, at least 4 hours a day.
In addition to irrigation, you should take into account pests (especially aphids and larvae) and weeds, checking these aspects about twice a week. The most common pests and diseases are:
- Cabbage caterpillar: normally, removing them from the leaves is enough.
- Snail: the best method to remove it is also usually the manual.
- Aphid: a good (and ecological) remedy is to spray a mixture of water and biodegradable soap on the leaves.
- Downy mildew: it is a fungus that produces yellowish spots on the leaves of the plant, which turn brown and finally dry. A natural remedy can be to spray on the leaves an infusion of garlic (50 grams of garlic in a liter of water) diluted in one part for every 4 of water. It should be applied in full sun and for several days in a row.
The harvest
To know if your radishes are ready, you will have to remove some soil from around the plant and check its size. About 2-2.5 centimeters in diameter is the most optimal to be harvested. To do this, you must pull the radish upwards, holding it by the bottom of its leaves. If the ground is too compressed, you can help yourself with a small shovel. Once your radishes are harvested, you will have to wash them with water to remove the excess soil, and they will be ready for consumption.
Tips for and when to sow radishes
- If you repeat planting every 15 days, but planting only a few plants, you will have fresh radishes throughout the season.
- It is advisable that you consume your radishes in the 15 days after their harvest, with the aim that they still retain their flavor and texture.
- Freshly harvested radishes and smaller ones have a less pungent taste and contain more nutrients.
- There are more than 50 varieties of radishes. Try their different flavors and sizes in the infinity of recipes in which they are included.