Harvesting Radishes
This is the first year I’ve grown radishes. I’ve never been much of a radish fan, but then it occurred to me that perhaps I’ve just never been much of a mass-produced radish fan. So I ordered some heirloom radish seeds from Baker Creek and about 3 weeks ago I planted the seeds.
I’m growing 2 different kinds:
Pink Beauty: A beautiful round pink radish that has become hard to find. It is sweet and tasty. Popular at specialty markets, a must for all radish growers! Wonderful and unique.
Suxa II: Popular European radish that matures in just 3 weeks; wow, they are quick! Bright red, smooth, round, perfect globes are crisp and delicious. Pretty and productive.
I must say, I’m hooked on radishes now. I love that they’re so quick to grow, there’s not much in the garden that’s ready to harvest 3 weeks after you plant. You also can’t beat a veggie that you just pick, rinse and enjoy. I just planted a bunch more yesterday and I’m going to order a few different kinds to try. I think radishes will become a favorite crop here at Chiot’s Run.
What about you, do you grow radishes? What kinds do you like?
I have to laugh… I thought I was growing radishes… I didn’t really pay attention and when I went to harvest, I discovered (or remembered?) that I planted turnips. Whoops! I’m slightly jealous at this moment because I was looking forward to my first crop.
Julia’s last blog post.. Mole, Take II
to Julia's comment
Those are really nice looking radishes!
We just harvested our first radishes yesterday and I’m getting ready to put them on my blog in a little bit. Way better than store bought. I just washed them up in the hose and munched them whole. LOL
to Faith's comment
Yup, radishes are as close to instant gratifications as a gardener can get. The radishes I had last year, just some random leftover seeds I can’t even remember the name of, were pretty spicy and I could only eat them sliced thin in salads. This year I have the ubiquitous French Breakfast. They’re much milder, which means much better for me and my sissy mouth. I discovered they are also delicious sliced onto chicken salad sandwiches. Nice crunch.
And of course, they’re very useful to grow as row markers in with things that take a long time to germinate. We do that with parsnips and dill. By the time those are growing, the radishes have been harvested.
kristin’s last blog post.. Waterworks
to kristin's comment
We just had a couple radishes last night. I don’t know what else to do with them other than eat them fresh. But it is nice to see such a quick harvest when you’re waiting on other plants to produce!
Dave’s last blog post.. A Garden Remodel: The Fence Garden
to Dave's comment
I’m not a big radish fan but got some from my veg coop. I found a recipe for roasted radishes and zucchini which was delicious. Highly recommend trying it.
to Lee's comment
I’ve read that roasted radishes are good. I’ll have to give them a try. I love roasted zucchini.
to Susy's comment
thanks for reminding me to pick radishes today! i hate them, but i planted them for nick bc he loves them! i’m sure the boys will too:)
to deedee's comment
Those look really lovely! I harvested a few of mine and the red ones were pretty nice – the white ones were pithy and wormy.
Sande’s last blog post.. Sunday Silence 10
to Sande's comment
It has been a long time since I planted radishes (not since we had an allotment), but really there’s no excuse as they’re so easy to grow. No store-bought radish compares. A few fresh radishes, a little salt, some ice cold beer; perfect summer snacking.
Helen at Toronto Gardens’s last blog post.. Yikes: Boxwood psyllids and the new pesticides ban
to Helen at Toronto Gardens's comment
I am like you were…never cared for radishes but maybe it’s because I haven’t had a good one…I may have to try again…esp since they are so fast to grow! Brilliant!
warren’s last blog post.. I used to sing backup for Billy Joel
to warren's comment
I’m sure these will really help bump up my harvest totals. I’m planning on trying to grow them all summer.
Radishes are also good to keep around as beneficial plants to keep bugs off of the other plants around. I planted a few with my cukes, we’ll see if it works.
to Susy's comment
I have harvested a few so far. I planted two more squares of radish a few days ago because the radishes I have harvested were so good. I don’t like store bought radish, but I love them when they’re home grown!
Renee’s last blog post.. What’s Growing (and What’s Not)
to Renee's comment
I do not like shop bought radishes, I find them too bland. I love Scarlet Globe – really peppery!
Claire
Claire’s last blog post.. Easter
to Claire's comment
MMM, peppery, I really like them that way (as the rest of my food).
to Susy's comment
I never really cared for radishes either. Then last year, on a whim we planted some “Purple Celebration Radish” seeds. I *LOVED* them. We also did a CSA last year which had radishes in them of an unknown variety that I didn’t like all that much. So…it’s gotta be an heirloom radish or forget it!
This year we’ve planted Purple Celebration Radish, Pink Celebration Radish, and White Icicle Radish all from Heirloom Acres Seeds.
I think of all the seeds we’ve planted radishes are one of my favorites!
Pampered Mom’s last blog post.. Some really neat stuff out there…
to Pampered Mom's comment
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m hoping to try a few new varieties this fall & next spring when I use up my current stash of seeds.
to Susy's comment
Like you, I was never a big fan of radishes. What turned it around for me was realizing it was *red* radishes that I didn’t like – white radishes are a winner! Have you tried them? They are somewhat hard to find here in farmers markets etc. but are sold readily as seeds. They are different than daikon, although that is tasty too, and so much sweeter with less bite than red.
Mangochild’s last blog post.. Tuesdays Independence Days Week 2
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I haven’t tried the white yet, I’m hoping to buy a few different kinds later in the season for next spring. I’ll have to get a white variety to try.
to Susy's comment
I love radishes! They add just enough peppery zest to give the ol’ green salad a kick :-) I’ve grown several varieties here and they have all done really well. It’s getting to hot now to grow them in the South. But I have them growing in the fall, winter and spring.
Judy’s last blog post.. Not Wanting to Get Political…. BUT… – May 27, 2009
to Judy's comment
Novice Gardener Alert. This is our first year with a square foot garden. It’s been a lot of fun, though we’re stumbling along, learning as we go. We planted radishes as well (we bought some heirloom seeds from a local seed supplier). Here’s my question — how do you know when radishes are ready to harvest? Thanks for the help.
to Beth @ Smart Family Tips's comment
I just look at them and you can see the red globes popping out of the soil. When they look like eating size I pull them.
to Susy's comment
Thanks, Susy!
to Beth @ Smart Family Tips's comment
Really enjoying your page! We’re first year beekeepers with two brown dogs in the Chugach. My radishes are popping now and we’re building raised hoops due to the wind up here today. I’ll visit back to see what you are up to next!
to joanne peyton in AK's comment
Joanne Peyton—I’ve been trying to contact you. I think our husband’s share a gr-gr grandfather—Dr. Robert S. Peyton,. I have his obituary and a few other items. I’d love to share. Barbara Peyton
to Barbara Peyton's comment
I tried growing radishes in cups under lights two years ago as an experiment and it worked. One could have radishes all winter this way!
to Andrea's comment