The radish is a vegetable that belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which includes turnips, cabbage, and watercress. The radish is considered by many as the first vegetable that man cultivated. It has been consumed since ancient times in China, in ancient Greece and by the Romans, who are th pioneers for its expansion and consumption in Europe.
Commonly known for its white interior, reddish skin, and spicy taste, the radish is an excellent ally for health. It is low in calories, contains a large amount of fiber, has a low glycemic index, and is recommended in the diet of those who want to lose weight.
The Main Benefits of the Raddish
- It promotes digestion as it helps in the production of bile.
- The radish is a natural detoxifier as it cleans and tones the liver.
- It has anti-inflammatory properties.
- The skin’s health is improved thanks to the presence of vitamin C, B, phosphorus, and zinc in the radish.
- This vegetable helps to lose weight as it increases the efficiency of the metabolism.
- It is a good source of magnesium, iron, potassium, and calcium.
Since the radish has numerous benefits, wouldn’t it be great to have it at our disposal in our own garden? In this article, we bring you the main steps of cultivating this vegetable.
Some Additional Information Before Growing Your Radish
Certain aspects such as climate, light, soil type, or irrigation must be considered when growing and caring for radishes.
Although the most well-known are the round radishes with reddish skin, there are different types of radishes. They can also be long, pink, purple, green, or cream-colored.
Choosing the Right Climate
Before planting your radish, it is crucial to keep that in mind that it grows favorably in climates with temperatures between 8 and 22 degrees Celsius.
The Radish Likes Sunshine
Since this vegetable can grow in full sun, choose a spot in your garden that receives direct light and some shade during the day.
Prepare the Soil Well, With the Desired Conditions
The soil should be aerated, free of stones or roots of other plants to not distort the radish roots. Make sure the soil is rich in organic matter and has a pH above 5.5.
Pay Attention to the Watering of the Radish
The soil should never be completely dry or soaked. Therefore, the radish needs constant and controlled watering.
A radish can mature very quickly (some grow in as little as 3 weeks) and is a vegetable that doesn’t require much care. So here are a few detailed and more specific steps to follow to grow your radishes.
Step 1
Choose the Type of Radish You Will Plant
The spring radish (Cherry Belle radish) is the most commonly used and best known, as it has a less intense flavor and matures in 22 days. You can choose another type of radish, as long as it is suitable for the location where you will be planting it.
Step 2
Decide on the Location
Make sure that the soil has the above conditions so that your radishes will grow without problems.
Step 3
Plan for Optimal Radish Planting
Before growing your radish, you need to plan the best time to plant them (weather, light, irrigation). Choose times when the days have temperatures no higher than 15ºC, preferably two weeks before the last winter frost.
Step 4
Sow the Seeds
Sow the seeds 1.25 cm deep and 2.5 cm apart. Rows of radishes should be 30 cm apart.
Step 5
Water the Radishes Frequently
Remember that to care for the radishes, the soil must not be dry or soggy, so water frequently and monitor the soil condition whenever possible.
Step 6
Harvest Your Radishes
On average, you can harvest your radishes after 3 weeks, when their roots are more than 2.5 cm in diameter. Do not leave the vegetable in the ground for too long, otherwise it will rot or become hard.
Once you’ve harvested your first radish, remember to share with us how the process went in the comments below.
