Lesson 1: Preparing to Sow

Basic Preparation
Just because radishes are an obliging lot doesn't mean that you should ignore the basics. Pick a sunny – but not too sunny – spot. Radishes like the sun but they run to seed if they get too much of it. For best results, the radish plot should be dug over at least a month before sowing. But you won't be the first novice gardener to dig immediately prior to planting radishes. Just make sure you get rid of any stones. Don't add manure to the soil but do water it. You want a moist seedbed.

Sowing Strategy
Use a rake to break up the soil, creating a fine "tilth" (surface soil that's ready to plant). Mark out a row with garden twine and stakes, creating a channel (the correct gardening word is a "drill") around 1cm-1.5cm deep. Sow your radish seeds thinly in this drill, cover with soil and firm. If you're planting more than one row, position them 15cm apart. Don't forget to label your rows. Congratulations! You've just sown your first crop. You can now stroll around the local garden centre with your head held high. And, if Alan Titchmarsh comes on the telly, you're at liberty to nod sagely as he disseminates vegetable lore.

Try These
"Scarlet Globe" is a traditional, spherical variety that is especially quick to mature – a handy characteristic if you're growing radishes with children. "Cherry Belle" can stay in the ground without spoiling for a little longer than other varieties. A popular, reliable radish, "French Breakfast" has a cylindrical shape and a cracking flavour.

Pic: GAP Photos/Zara Napier