Radish, often called the 'workhorse' of the garden, is practically a must for almost any front or backyard garden. Beside being edible and extremely healthful, they improve the flavor of cucumber and squash family plants while deterring pests like squash borers, cucumber beetles, and rust flies. Radishes also love being planted next to Nasturtiums, an edible and beautiful flower that is believed to deter root knot nematode to some extent.
Radishes prefer cool weather, so be sure to sow each seed about 1/2 inch deep into well worked, loose soil at the very beginning of spring and at the end of summer. Bulbs will not form if the soil is not worked properly, nor will they form if the radishes are not at least 2 inches apart from each other. And do not be afraid to form rows or just plant them about your garden in a carefree manner near cucumbers, squash, melons, peas, and spinach. Do keep them away from cauliflower and other cabbage family plants though, as they are not radish fans.
Here are some important notes about growing most radish varieties:
*Bulbs will not form in temps above 80 degrees.
*Bulbs will not form in soil that has not been well worked/tilled.
*Bulbs will not form in over fertilized, high nitrogen soil.
*Organic Neem is an excellent spray to protect edible radish greens.
*Harvest is an art-pull radish when round & smooth before cracking occurs.
*If your cool season is long, plant radishes weekly so that you have them often.
Gastronomically speaking, radishes are excellent tossed through salads or made into a vinegary cucumber and radish salad, as was done with the photographed radishes. Oh, and remember that the greens are edible and make excellent pesto when mixed with fresh basil!
*Radish pictured is an organic, fast maturing Cherry Belle radish.
