Radishes
Growing your own has become the latest phenomenon in the gardening world, with more new comers setting up their very own kitchen garden along balconies, in containers and in their garden. The same can be said about radishes, as they are the ideal vegetable to grow to give salads a peppery taste and are also perfect for new veg growers who want to start with an easy and fast growing crop.
As radishes are quick to mature they are ideal for children to grow at home or at school. Some schools around the country are now providing a teaching garden for pupils to pick crops during school term and nothing can be more ideal than Radishes.
Here are some great sowing, germinating and harvesting tips to ensure your radishes always boast the best the flavour:
• Radishes are ideally sown from February to August and harvested between January to February and April through to December.
• Make sure to harvest radishes when they have matured into small crops, as they can generate a fiery and hot taste if let to grow large.
• The best summer varieties are Cherry Belle, which tends to be a milder tasting radish or the French Breakfast 3, which is ideal for salads.
• Many varieties of radishes can be germinated within 3 to 7 days and reach maturity between 3 to 4 weeks.
• When sowing your summer seeds make sure to leave 1 inch between seeds and about 6 inches between the rows as this will help to keep them as small crops and will also improve their flavour. You can also find winter varieties of radish, which needs to be given about 6 inches between the seeds as this will allow them to grow into a larger crop.
• During mid-summer radishes must be kept well watered.
• You will always be sure that your radishes are ready to be harvested when they are the size of a 10p piece. Winter crops can be lifted when wanted.