Radishes are uncomplicated, easy to grow and therefore extremely popular. Their season extends over several months. They deliver fresh vegetables from spring to autumn, which are mainly served raw.
When is radish season?
The radish season extends from April to September, with the harvest time varying depending on the variety and planting time. Early grown radishes are ready to harvest after about eight weeks, while summer radishes can be harvested after just three to four weeks.
This is how the season goes
In radishes, the thickened root collar forms the edible part. Round and flat-round varieties develop the typical radish shape. In cultivars with elongated shapes, the storage tissue extends over the so-called hypocotyl and the roots.
Sowing
Early varieties have low lighting requirements and cope well with cool temperatures. They can be sown in the greenhouse or cold frame from the end of February. Direct sowing outdoors is possible from March. Make sure the ground has thawed and dried out. If ground frost occurs, protect the seeds with foil or a garden fleece (€6.00 on Amazon). The ideal germination temperatures are between twelve and 15 degrees.
Variety overview:
- Early varieties for greenhouses: 'Fanal', 'French Breakfast' and 'Boy'
- early ripening outdoor varieties: 'Rota', 'Juwasprint' and 'Knacker'
- Summer radishes: 'Cherry Belle'; 'Ilka' and 'Champion'
- all-season varieties: 'Icicle' and 'Rudi'
Care
Radishes grow extremely quickly and therefore require a lot of water. While there is sufficient moisture in the spring, regular watering makes sense during the summer months. Due to lack of water, the sprouts become woody and develop a pungent taste.
Fertilization is not necessary if you have already provided the previous crops with compost. Fresh compost substrate is not suitable for growing radishes because their roots are sensitive to s alts. An oversupply of nutrients increases susceptibility to diseases and pests. Loosen the soil occasionally to improve growth.
The ideal harvest time
The peak season for root vegetables extends from April to September. Radishes grown early are ready to harvest after about eight weeks. During the summer months, the growing season is faster, so you can harvest the bed after three to four weeks. Plants sown in autumn require more time for development. The low season is from October to November.
Harvest in time
Before harvesting radishes, you should check the quality. In spring you have about ten days to harvest. Speed is essential in summer, as the harvest window is then shortened to four days. If you wait too long, the sprouts will taste furry. They have reached the optimal level of ripeness when the outer skin is colored and has no cracks. The aroma is particularly intense from a size of two to three centimeters. Then the tissue is firm to the bite and has a crunchy consistency.
Tip
After harvesting, remove the leaves, wrap the radishes in a cloth and place the package in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator. This way they will last for two days. The leafy greens taste great on bread and butter.
