RECOMMENDED VARIETIES OF RADISH FOR RAISED BEDS
AND CONTAINERS
There are three distinct types of radishes, the
traditional summer radish, winter radishes and oriental /
Chinese radishes.
Below we recommend some varieties which we have grown
successfully in raised beds and containers.A word of warning though about oriental and
Chinese radishes - they take up a lot of room for the crop
they produce. Their leaves spread and grow quite densely.
Summer Radish
Summer radish are sown from March onwards and take four to
eight weeks to mature. They do not keep well in the ground
and should be eaten soon after harvest. Taste varies from
mild to distinctly peppery.
Scarlet Globe (AGM) has a crisp and crunchy texture, mild
taste and a deep red colour. They are small roundish
radishes with a pure white flesh.
Sparkler (AGM) are red with white tips, a good sized
radish with good texture and taste. Quick to mature.
Jolly is our favourite at the moment! Good sized red
radishes with crisp flesh and a great taste
Winter Radish
Store far better in the ground compared to summer radish and
take longer to mature. Sow seed in July / August and harvest
from September to December.
Black Spanish Long has black skin and white flesh.
Excellent taste, can be eaten raw or cooked in casseroles
and stews.
Oriental / Chinese Radish
These take around eight weeks plus to mature and have a
different taste compared to traditional radish. They keep
well in the ground and produce larger sized radish. Eat raw
when young or in stir fry when mature.
Mantanghong is round with a white outer skin but inside
has bright purple flesh. A slightly sweet and nutty taste
with a crunchy texture. The keep in the ground for a month
or so without going woody.
Mooli April Cross are white all the way through with a
crisp texture and mild flavour. Another good keeper in the
ground.
Pink Dragon stands cold conditions exceptionally well.
Excellent for stir frying.
WHEN TO SOW RADISH
Summer radish can be sown from early March through to May.
They can be sown through to September if they are protected
from high temperatures. This can often be achieved by sowing
seed near taller plants which will protect them from the
full sun.
Winter radish are sown in July and August. Oriental /
Chinese radish are normally sown in late August to September
although new varieties have good resistance to higher heat
conditions.
HOW TO SOW RADISH
All types of radish are sown in the same way. Simply make a
vey shallow drill in the raised bed soil and sprinkle the
seed in. Because the seed is so small it is almost
impossible not to have too many but the seed is very cheap.
Cover with a sprinkling of soil and water in lightly. The
seedlings will appear in one to two weeks.
Summer radish can be sown very densely, 5cm / 2in apart
is a good distance between each plant and maybe 7cm / 3in
between rows. Oriental and Chinese radish however take up
far more room - allow 30cm / 12in between each plants and
each row. They grow very well in raised beds but we wouldn't
recommend them because of the space required for each plant.
CARE OF RADISH
 |
The normal feeding, weeding and
watering (see
here) rules for a raised bed are all that is
required for good radishes. |
HARVEST RADISH
Harvesting is simple, just pull the foliage near the soil
and gently ease out the radish. Summer radishes should be
harvested when they are young typically about 2 to 3cm / 1in
wide. If they are left in the soil longer they will turn
woody and very peppery.
Winter and oriental / Chinese radish can be left in the
ground for much longer so harvest when they are needed. If
you want to eat oriental / Chinese radish raw then harvest
them young.
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