Y’all ready to dive into the world of radishes? From seed to harvest, we’re gonna cover it all. It’s mid March to early April here in Sweden when we can start plantin’ those radish seeds outdoors, but keep an eye out for that sneaky night frost, ya hear?
Radishes are like the darlin’s of the garden world, often praised as one of the best crops for newbies. And you bet we’re here to show you just how rewarding and easy it can be to grow ’em.
A little radish history
Before we get down to the nitty gritty of growin’ these bad boys, let’s take a quick look at their backstory. The name “radish” comes from the Latin word “radix,” meanin’ root, pretty dang fitting if you ask me. Plus, the family name “raphanus” comes from the Greek for “easy to grow,” which is spot on.
These little fellas are thought to have come from China, where wild radishes are still kickin’ it today. They’ve been around since ancient Egyptian times, and the Greeks loved ’em so much they made gold radishes for their god Apollo. Talk about fancy.
Plantin’ your radishes
Now, let’s get to the good stuff, how to plant these puppies. Direct sowin’ is the way to go, makin’ your garden journey smoother than a fresh jar of peanut butter. We like to plant here in Sweden fewer and more often to keep enjoyin’ these tasty treats. How do you grow yours? Leave a comment below.
For bigger radishes, aim to plant early spring or early fall. The little ones can grow pretty much year round if you give ’em some shade during the scorching summer months.
Spacin’ and sowin’
When it comes to spacin’, a good rule of thumb is to give each seed about twice the width of the radish itself. So if you’re plantin’ radishes that’ll grow to about an inch wide, space ’em out about 2 inches apart. Plant ’em about half an inch deep with rows about 4 inches apart.
But let’s be real, we ain’t livin’ in a perfect world. Nature’s got its own plans sometimes. So don’t sweat it too much. Just spread ’em out by hand and if they end up a little close, no biggie. Those’ll make for some mighty fine baby radishes when you thin ’em out.
Waterin’ your radishes
To keep your radishes happy, give ’em a light waterin’ 2-5 times a week. Keep the soil moist, but don’t drown ’em, we don’t want no root rot. In hot weather, you might need to water more often to keep ’em fresh.
If you see wiltin’ leaves or slow growth, that’s your cue to give ’em a drink. Check the soil by stickin’ your finger in, if it’s dry, time to water.
And keep an eye out for any unwanted visitors while you watering, but don’t you worry too much. Radishes are tough little soldiers that can handle most challenges.
What to do with all them radishes
Now, here’s the BIG question, what are you gonna do with all these radishes? It’s mighty important to have a plan, or you might end up scratchin’ your head wonderin’ why you grew ’em in the first place.
Radishes grow faster than a jackrabbit, usually ready in 3-4 weeks. They’re good to go when they’re about an inch wide, but check your seed packet for specifics.
When it’s time to store ’em, resist the urge to wash or cut the root. Just trim off most of the leaves, leave the dirt on (it’ll help ’em last longer), and pop ’em in a plastic container in the fridge.
There you have it, folks. With these tips, you’ll be growin’ radishes like a true farmer in no time. Happy gardenin’, y’all.