It's not surprising that radishes are a favourite winter veggie. Their spicy and crunchy texture is fantastic in dips, bread, parathas and salads. The crucifer family (Brassicaceae) includes radish; a member of the genus Raphanus. These mouthwatering tubers, originally from Asia, have been a mainstay of Indian cooking.
Numerous types are available, each with a unique cultivation period, colour, shape, and flavour. However, growing radishes in the garden or on a balcony is simple for all of them. Due to their rapid growth, radishes are typically ready to be harvested in 4 weeks or less, which makes it simple to rotate them with other crops.
Steer clear of planting radish adjacent to crucifers (such as cabbage and horseradish), which can result in several plant illnesses. Other than that, radishes are excellent companion crops, particularly when combined with spinach, lettuce, beans, and peas. Keep reading for more!
Where To Grow Radish Plants?
Radishes are hardy plants that grow well in raised beds, in-ground gardening, and containers as long as they get lots of sun and moisture. Most radish varieties can be grown in raised beds or containers at least 6 inches deep; daikons and other radishes with long tap roots, on the other hand, require beds or pots at least 2 feet deep.
Most gardeners cultivate radishes in narrow rows in their vegetable gardens, but they can also be interplanted with taller vegetables like beans and peas. In addition to being a clever technique to make the most of the space in your garden, radish roots may be used to loosen and aerate compacted soils.
When And How To Sow Radish Seedlings?
Radishes can be planted as soon as the land is suitable for planting in the early spring or in fall. You can increase the amount you harvest by planting radish seeds every seven to ten days in spring or fall.
It's best to cease growing radishes in the summer as they bolt in the heat instead of forming strong roots. However, you can sow an autumn crop of radish seeds in late summer or early autumn, up to 4 weeks before the first frost date in your location.
Read More: 9 Perfect Plants For Areas With Low Sunlight
Before planting radishes, till your beds to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, if needed, and amend the soil with compost or aged manure. Fertile soil is ideal for radishes to grow in, but don't over fertilise it, as this may encourage them to grow tiny roots and an abundance of leaves.
Pests Control Guide
Pests are drawn to radishes, including cabbage loopers, slugs, aphids, and flea beetles. These small, shiny-coated, and with powerful hind legs, flea beetles can be a huge issue. They consume the radish's leaves and stems.
Shallow pits and circular, irregular holes will be visible in the leaves showing pest symptoms by your plants. Flea beetle removal methods include employing sticky traps or dusting with pesticide powder. Granular slug baits, diatomaceous earth, and drowning traps effectively kill slugs.
Plants can be sprayed with diluted dish soap or neem treatments to eliminate aphids. Removing the caterpillars or using biological controls such as predatory insects can minimise cabbage looper damage. To reduce the effect of control efforts on non-target insect species, stay away from broad-spectrum pesticides.
Radishes will draw beneficial insects and honeybees to your garden if you let them flower. When left to flower, radish plants are said to ward off cucumber insects, squash borers and maise borers. They may even deter spider mites from feeding on tomatoes and leaf miners from feeding on spinach.
Harvesting Radishes Seedlings
Many people are surprised to learn that radish greens can be eaten. They are spiky on the bottom, although they are easier to consume after cooking. Make sure you thoroughly wash the leaves to get rid of any leftover garden soil.
Some chefs fry them in butter and toss them with rice, or they can be used in Indian recipes with tomatoes, cumin, and garlic or with Swiss chard, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil.