Climate and soil requirements for radish cultivation

RADISHES. COLORFUL, NUTRITIOUS AND PRESENT ALL YEAR ROUND

We cannot forget about them. Although we are not used to eating them often, it is one of those vegetables that can be present in the garden throughout the year so they deserve a place. In addition, apart from the classic red radish like the one in the photo, there are numerous varieties that will bring new sensations to our dishes.

 

WE ARE GOING TO GROW RADISHES

In particular, it is not a vegetable that you are very used to. I don’t get to include it regularly in my diets, and I don’t know why. I don’t remember her and I love it! That spicy flavor (derived from sulfur compounds), that fresh explosion in the salad both when you see it and when you bite into it. All a delight. In addition to its organoleptic qualities, it is very digestive and rich in vitamin C, provitamin A, folic acid and, last but not least, hypocaloric, so I see no reason not to include it in crops throughout the year . Let’s see what we need.

CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS

Temperature : If we take into account, that except in places where winter frosts are very severe it grows throughout the year, we cannot say that radish has determining thermal requirements when it comes to its development. It will depend on the different varieties of summer and winter. If the climatic zone is very cold, with a greenhouse they can also be given in winter.

Brightness: Except in summer, a sunny place is preferable. The summer ones may need some shade. We can always grow them associated with other culitvos to provide that shade. Here are some favorable associations, although you have the table in the crop associations entry :

SOIL REQUIREMENTS

The rabanitos have some particularity as to the soil characteristics. They prefer drained, light soils, with good fertility (without being excessive) and a good humus content. Even so, the summer varieties are more grateful and can grow in much less specific places, speaking in silver, in any forgotten corner that you have left in the garden or near it.

They are not very compost friendly , so if we use surface fertilization methods such as Parades in Crestall or it is simply our regular fertilizer, we must be careful. It has to be very very decomposed or compost already used in previous crops.

IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS

This is what they ask of us. Water, water and more water. Radish needs a regular watering frequency . They cannot stand the lack of irrigation. We cannot let the earth dry out.

SOW IT IN YOUR GARDEN

It is one of those vegetables that will not give many problems. To begin with, a seedbed is not necessary in the vast majority of cases, so sow directly in the garden. The sowing depth is around 0.5 – 2 cm and the spacing between lines can be about 10-12 cm for winter varieties and a little more for summer varieties (5 cm more). The separation between seeds within the line will be more variable depending on which variety we use.

When they are germinating, you should keep an eye out for slugs and other garden companions . Note that having a continuous humid environment (due to the frequency of irrigation), and some tender shoots emerging from the ground, it can be very attractive. Having the possibility of having them all year long, it will be necessary to plan to harvest radishes often (if desired). Staggered plantings will allow its collection 2 or three times a month. The cultivation periods are 1 and a half months on average.

VARIETIES OF RADISHES AND RADISHES

Red radishes: There are globular ones, of more pinkish colors, elongated, medium … Among them: Cherry belle, Scarlet globe, medium long red with white tip, long from Mallorca, Long Murcian, Purple radish, Red Saxa.

White radishes : The so-called daikon or Chinese radish or mooli: April cross, Minowase Summer, Ice white radish.

White radish
Source: harrisseeds.com

Black radishes: Highly appreciated for their therapeutic action on the digestive tract and liver: Spanish black round, Spanish black long.

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