Planting radishes can be enjoyable as there are many colors and flavors to choose from.

While easy to grow, you should be aware of what variants to plant and when.

Numerous Types

There are more than 200 radish types you can plant. The Burpee White, Champion, and Cherry Belle are suited for the spring season. So are the Plum Purple, Fuego, and Early Scarlet Globe.

For summer or spring, Icicle and French Breakfast are recommended. For winter storage, China Rose, Round Black Spanish, and Tama Hybrid will be excellent choices.

Planting

The spring varieties need to grow as soon as the soil is workable. When planting radishes in the spring, the latest date is in the middle of the season.

Successive planting every two weeks is acceptable. Some variants can be grown in the winter if stored indoors and in a container. The winter radishes need more time to grow.

Whichever variants you plant, you can set them between slow-growing vegetables. You can also nurture them near warm-season plants.

The sowing depth should be half an inch deep. Spring variants need an inch of space for each plant. The winter radishes require at least 2 inches of space, more if possible.

This is necessary to prevent the roots from getting entangled. On beds, 2 to 3 inches of space will be sufficient.

Caring and Harvesting

When planting radish, the soil must be moist and fertilized prior to planting. If the soil quality is poor, the radish will be hot and have a wooden texture.

These need to be harvested as soon as the roots attain edible size (the root an inch or so in diameter).

Harvested radishes need to be consumed quickly because they can turn very hot and spongy. Thinning will help in assuring a good harvest.

Winter varieties should be picked when they are a little larger. Cool-weather means they can last much longer. Generally speaking, the cooler the fall is, the bigger the radish.

Tips and Warnings

Use an insecticide when planting radishes to keep pests at bay. In particular, watch out for root maggots that go through the radishes.

It’s very important to keep the moisture constant. Soaking it up after letting it dry for a spell will cause the radish to split.

Splitting can also happen if the radish is old. Take them out while the radish is still young.

If the root doesn’t develop, there wasn’t enough thinning done. You might also be planting spring variants in the summertime.

Hence, it’s crucial you choose the right varieties for the season.

Storage

The summer and winter types can be kept in the fridge after the tops have been cut. The winter radish can be kept for two weeks in the fridge.

Store them in a tight plastic bag. These vegetables can be used in many recipes.

Given their flexibility and adaptability, it’s not surprising that planting radishes is becoming more common among gardeners and cooks.

By following these basic guidelines, you can cultivate these vegetables too.