Radish is one of the main vegetables that we enjoy eating after a long winter. Our body receives the first vitamins and microelements from this root crop. The positive properties of this vegetable include:
- High content of vitamin B, which is so necessary for the nervous system.
- Vitamin of the PP group, essential for the proper functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system.
- Vitamin C - increases the protective properties of our immunity, which protects our body from colds and other infectious diseases.
- Calcium, which strengthens the body's skeletal system.
- Iron, which is needed to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Radish contains practically no calories harmful to the body, so people leading a healthy lifestyle can safely include it in their daily diet.
Radish helps to normalize the metabolism in the body, and also removes cholesterol from the body and prevents its further formation. The root vegetable also improves digestion. Radish leaves are high in vitamins and can be used to prepare various dishes. Freshly squeezed radish juice can be successfully used to treat coughs.
Radish varieties
There are many varieties of radish, each of which has its own properties and characteristics. There are early ripening, medium ripeness and late varieties. If all three species are planted in the garden at once, then the radish will be on your table from early spring to late summer.
Early maturing radish varieties:
- Early red - delicate taste, snow-white pulp, dark red fruit on top, high yield, grows well both in the greenhouse and in the garden.
- Corundum is a red, round fruit.
- French breakfast - the first fruits appear 3 weeks after planting; the pulp is juicy, white, does not have a burning taste.
- Eighteen days is the variety most popular with gardeners. The first fruits ripen on day 18. The pulp is tender and juicy, not bitter or pungent.
- Rhodes - porous flesh, bright red rind.
- Ruby - flat rounded shape of the fruit, high yield, excellent taste, bright red skin color.
Medium early varieties include:
- Slavia - characterized by a spicy taste.
- Vera MC - high yield of the variety, the fruits are not covered with cracks
- Sachs - the taste of the fruit is sharp and slightly sour, the color is bright red.
- Helios is a large, yellow root vegetable with a delicate and juicy taste.
- Viola is a purple-skinned fruit.
- Watermelon radish is a fruit with a white skin and pink flesh.
Late varieties include:
- Rampous - medium sharp white flesh, white peel, elongated shape.
- Würzburg radish - round shape of the fruit, bright crimson color with a red tint, high yield of the variety.
- Red giant - red fruit can reach a mass of about 120 g. One of the few varieties of radish that can be stored until winter.
Daikon occupies a special place among the varieties of radish. Many unknowingly believe that this vegetable belongs to the radish.
Planting radishes in spring
Outdoor radishes can be planted as soon as the snow melts.It is important to buy seeds only in large proven stores, which undergo a strict selection of planting material. Seeds will begin to germinate only when the air temperature is above +18 degrees. Otherwise, they will simply lie in the ground and wait for the onset of suitable conditions. It is best to plant radishes in a greenhouse.
There are several tips tested by experienced gardeners, the observance of which will ensure high yields of radishes:
- The landing site should be well lit by the sun throughout the day.
- The soil for planting should be nutritious, light and loose.
- Too high growing temperatures and long daylight hours will result in arrows on the radishes. Shooting is also often caused by insufficient moisture levels.
- It is noticed that the largest seeds germinate faster in comparison with small ones, so they need to be sorted before planting.
- To accelerate the germination of seeds, they can be soaked in water before planting. As soon as the first shoots appear, they can be planted in the soil.
- For the correct formation and development of fruits, the distance between the roots must be observed when planting. There should be 5-6 cm between the fruits, and about 15 cm between the rows.
- From above, the seeds should not be covered with a too thick layer of soil. 0.5-1 cm is enough.Maximum 2 cm.
- The germinated seeds will give the first shoots in a few days.
After the seeds have sprouted, it is important to provide the radishes with good, abundant watering. The soil must be constantly loosened, and the weeds must be destroyed in time. Early varieties allow you to get the first fruits for the table in a minimum time.
If the radish tastes bitter, then this may indicate a too prolonged period of its growth. It either grew slowly due to insufficient care, or the fetus was already aging. Also, the pulp of the radish can be too fibrous and tough. The reason for this is too high ambient air and soil temperatures, as well as excessive watering. Often the root crop itself is poorly formed, while the green top grows actively. This suggests that radish needs lower air temperatures. In hot weather, it begins to form seeds instead of a root crop.
Radish care
Radish is considered an unpretentious vegetable crop to care for. It will not be difficult to grow it even for a novice gardener. There are several basic rules to follow to get a rich radish harvest:
- Observance of moderate watering, especially on hot summer days, when dry weather is observed and there is no rain. Without sufficient moisture, the radish will dry out and taste bitter. The resulting fruit will lose its declared taste.
- When the radish is almost ripe, watering should be slightly reduced, otherwise the fruits will crack from an excess of moisture.
- Radish, like any other vegetable crop, needs regular fertilization. It is for radish that potash fertilizers are suitable. It is brought in immediately after the first shoots appear on the garden bed. Fertilizer is diluted in concentration according to the attached instructions. The frequency and amount of dressings are indicated on the preparation.
Diseases and pests
Radish is susceptible to both insect pests and bacterial and fungal diseases. If the leaves of the plant become yellow, lethargic, or spots appear on them, then the root crop should be treated with special means against pests and diseases.
If you are not a supporter of the use of chemicals, then you can resort to folk remedies. The use of ash will be effective against pests. It is carefully sprinkled with a garden of radishes.
Radish storage
Keeping a ripe root vegetable is not difficult at all. Before harvesting from the garden, the soil must be moistened in advance so that the fruits are easier to pull out, and the radish itself is saturated with moisture and becomes even more juicy.
Before laying the radish for long-term storage in the basement or pantry, its tops must be cut off.The tip should also be disposed of. To extend the shelf life of the radish, the fruit can be wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in a cool, dark place.
