Radishes of All Shapes and Colors

In short: Radishes come in round, cylindrical and icicle shapes and in red, white, yellow and purple colours. They grow fast, in about 29–38 days depending on the variety. Sow them in early spring or from late July to August in loose, compost-enriched soil, in rows about 10 cm apart, and keep the soil evenly moist.

Radish is a variety of summer radish (lat. Raphanus sativus var. sativus). Radishes belong to the Brassicaceae family of plants. Many hybrids have been bred from the original cultivated radish, which differ in shape and colour. Today it's not unusual to find round, cylindrical and conical radishes in white, black, pink, red, yellow and even dark purple colours. You'll certainly find something in our e-shop range.

Radishes of All Shapes and Colors from Our Range

• The first representative of classic round radishes is the Poloneza variety, which is suitable for forcing and field cultivation. The bulb color is red and white. Poloneza is an early radish variety, making it one of the first to be planted in spring. Under foil, it can be sown from February until approximately the end of March. Sowing in open soil is done from March to mid-April and from late July to the end of August. During summer, this radish would not form the desired bulb but would try to bolt. The growing period of the early radish Poloneza is approximately 29 - 33 days. Other varieties of round red and white radishes include Duo and Root vegetables.

• Another round radish, this time scarlet red in color, is the Faraon variety, which is primarily intended for forcing. Seeds germinate at temperatures around 2 - 3 °C, and young plants can tolerate temperatures below freezing for short periods. For forcing, seeds of the Faraon variety radish are sown as early as the end of January, and in outdoor locations they can be sown from March to April. The second sowing option is from mid-July to the end of August. Round red radishes also include Ilka, Granát, Reisenbutter (butter giant), Ria, organic quality Rudi, Saxa 3, Carmen, Lada, Lidka, and Stela.

• Unusually purple bulbs are characteristic of the semi-early radish variety called Viola. It is suitable for spring and autumn cultivation in beds. The flesh is white and delicate in texture.

• The Albena radish variety has a white round bulb. This is a variety suitable for forcing and for spring and autumn cultivation. The bulb is medium-sized, highly resistant to cracking. The flesh is glassy white. The advantage of this radish is considerable resistance to bolting. Another white round radish is the Sniezka variety.

• The last representative of round radishes is the Zlata variety, whose bulbs are light yellow, have a delicate skin and are almost non-pungent. The Zlata variety is very resistant to bulb cracking, bolting and flesh sponginess. Yellow radishes have excellent flavor.

• A radish with a red and white cylindrical bulb is Flamboyant. This variety is intended for forcing and early sowing in beds. For forcing, sowing is done from the end of February; seeds can go into beds during March and April. The growing period is approximately 32 - 35 days. Similar characteristics are found in the Slovana variety, which is cylindrical in shape, predominantly red with a white tip. Very early is the Slavia variety.

• In our range you will also find cylindrical radishes with entirely red bulbs suitable for forcing and field cultivation.

• Icicles are reminiscent of the radish called Rampouch, due to its white color and icicle-like shape. "Rampouch" radishes are suitable for spring cultivation and are sown in beds from April to the end of May. The growing period is approximately 36 - 38 days. The flesh of "Rampouch" is white, crisp in texture, and mildly pungent in taste. The upper part of the bulb that reaches the surface may turn slightly green.

• White icicle-shaped bulbs are also characteristic of the fodder radish variety Astor. Unlike Rampouch, this is a summer variety of radish that is planted later, most commonly in July and August. Nothing happens if you plant these radishes earlier. Fodder radishes can grow up to 35 - 40 cm in length.

Growing Radishes

Growing radishes is completely undemanding and even an absolute beginner can manage it. Radishes prefer lighter soils with sufficient nutrients, so it's advisable to loosen the soil before sowing and add well-matured compost. Compost helps lighten the soil and provides the earth with essential nutrients. The microorganisms contained in compost also warm the soil. Radishes are short-day plants, which must also be taken into account when timing sowing, as radishes tend to bolt quickly during summer months. In cold frames and greenhouses, radishes can start being sown from late February onwards, if climatic conditions allow. In beds, radishes are planted somewhat later, approximately from April. A second sowing of radishes can be done in late summer. Radishes are sown in rows approximately 10 cm apart. After young seedlings emerge, thinning must be performed so the radishes have enough space for growth. Adjust the distance between individual radishes according to the specific variety. Throughout the entire growing period - from sowing to harvest - the area around the bulbs should be kept moderately moist. Both overwatering and lack of moisture are unsuitable. In excessively wet conditions, molds thrive and the bulbs may start to rot. Lack of water and irregular watering leads to cracking of the bulbs in most radish varieties. Regular watering is also prevention against pests - flea beetles, which nibble on leaves during dry periods. Regular rotation of radish planting sites is also ideal. Radishes, thanks to their very short growing period, don't need additional fertilizing - they manage with the nutrients added to the soil before sowing. The short growing period is also advantageous in that radishes don't have time to be affected by diseases and pests.

Tip for easy growing: Sow radishes from combined seed tapes - you won't need to thin them out and there's an added bonus of multiple vegetable varieties mixed on the tape.

Radishes are Tasty and Healthy

Benefits of radishes. Radishes are very tasty, most varieties have their typical spicy flavor, which many people absolutely love. Radishes are consumed fresh, added to vegetable salads, and can serve as decoration and a side dish for various meals. Radish leaves are also delicious, prepared like spinach. Lovers of healthy sprouts swear by freshly sprouted radishes, as they can enjoy the delicious taste of radish in just a few days. Consuming radishes is very healthy because the bulbs contain large amounts of vitamin C and folic acid. Other beneficial substances include calcium, carotene, potassium, sulfur, and B vitamins. Radishes have antibacterial effects, they can rid the intestines of mold germs and cleanse the stomach. Radishes lower cholesterol, help with flatulence and constipation. Consuming radishes for coughs helps loosen mucus. Radishes are also appreciated by people on diets, as they contain minimal calories and fat.