Radish icicle - radish seeds

Raphanus sativus - Radishes

Radish is a root vegetable originating from Japan. It is characterized by its distinctive taste and is undemanding to grow. Its piquant flavor comes from mustard oil. They contain large amounts of vitamin C and folic acid. They also contain calcium, sulfur, carotene, potassium and vitamin B. Moreover, they are suitable for diets because they contain minimal fat. In the kitchen, they enjoy great popularity. They are best when consumed fresh, for example in salads and spreads.

How to Grow Radishes

• For early sowing in open soil, it is advisable to choose sunny locations, for summer rather shaded ones. We water radishes in the morning and evening. To prevent bulb cracking, it is advisable to limit soil moisture fluctuations through watering. During vegetation, we remove weeds from radish beds and carefully hoe them.

• Spring sowing in beds is carried out as soon as the soil dries. We sow in rows 15 - 20 cm apart and to a depth of 1 cm. After emergence and formation of cotyledon leaves, we thin to 3 - 4 cm.

  Radishes can be pre-grown in a warm greenhouse or cold frame from February. In this case, we sow in rows about 10 cm apart. After emergence, we also thin the plants.

• For growing radishes, permeable, lighter to medium-heavy, deeply worked soil that is rich in humus and has sufficient soil moisture is suitable.

• We do not fertilize radishes with farmyard manure. They would accumulate nitrates, which are dangerous for the human body. We do not fertilize radishes during vegetation. It is advisable to use them as a pre-crop.

• In overcrowded sowings, there is a risk of attack by the fungal disease of seedling necks known as damping-off. The affected neck turns brown and the seedlings die. We establish sparse sowing and maintain only moderate moisture.

  Irregular watering is related to bulb cracking, which develops, for example, during rains after a long period of drought.

  Root flies, whose larvae form tunnels in root heads, are a significant pest of radishes. Non-woven fabric will prevent root fly flies from laying eggs on the root necks of radishes. For chemical protection, it is advisable to use Sumithion Super. Regular watering also prevents attack by flea beetles, which nibble on leaves.

• We harvest radishes as needed when they are ripe. We recognize ripeness by the size of the bulb.