Grow Your Own Radishes

Lesson 6: Growing Winter Radishes

New Horizons
You may still have some summer radishes in the ground, ready for harvesting in a few weeks' time. But there's no reason why your radish-growing experience has to stop at the end of the summer. Why not have a go at raising winter radishes? These robust members of the radish family come in many varieties. Most of them pack a punch in the flavour department and their hardiness means that you can go on enjoying home-grown produce well into the winter months.

Deep and Even
Sowing winter radishes is broadly the same as sowing summer varieties but you need to bear one significant factor in mind. Winter radishes are much larger than their dinky summer cousins. So the seedbed must contain fine, even soil to a depth of at least 30cm. The plants also need to be further apart if they are to develop properly. In late July or early August, sow groups of 3 or 4 seeds at 15cm intervals in 2cm-deep drills. Space the drills 30cm apart. After 7-10 days, or when the seedlings are big enough to handle, remove the weaker seedlings, leaving one strong young plant every 15cm.

Boxed-Up
Look after young winter radishes in the same way as summer varieties. Water and weed the seedlings carefully. Keep slugs at bay. The bushy foliage will help keep weeds down once the plants are bigger. Winter radishes are usually ready to eat 10-12 weeks after sowing. They can stay in the ground longer, provided that you cover their crowns with straw or similar material. Many gardeners prefer to lift their winter radishes in October or November and store them. Twist off the foliage, rub off the dirt and put them in a box of sand. Place the box in a cool, frost-free location and the radishes will keep for months.

Try These
"China Rose" is a popular winter radish. The oval roots grow up to 15cm long. "Mino Early" radishes are 30cm long, slim and white. The mild flavour makes them useful for winter salads. Red-fleshed "Mantanghong" is an attractive variety that can be used for both cooking and salads.

Pic: GAP Photos/Jonathan Buckley