Growing radishes: 8 secrets of an unprecedented harvest

You can grow radishes at home on a windowsill, but due to the limited space, you are unlikely to get an unprecedented harvest. Therefore, from the end of April to September, it is better to sow radishes in open ground and properly care for the crop.



At the same time, early and mid-season varieties are more resistant to frost and bolting. And late-ripening vegetables are tastier and healthier, since they have time to accumulate more sugars and vitamins during the growing season, and they are also more productive and stored longer.

In order for radishes of any variety to produce the maximum amount of fruit, it is necessary to follow important principles in caring for the plant.
 

When preparing a bed, the soil is loosened to a depth of 20-30 cm and leveled from above. Half a bucket of sand and humus is added per 1 sq.m.

Dolomite flour is also added to soil with increased acidity (0.5 l per sq.m). And heavy clay soil is mixed with sand (at the rate of 1 bucket of sand per sq.m).
 

Sow radishes in an open (sunny), but wind-protected area.


 

In spring and early summer, sow the seeds of early varieties, and late varieties - not earlier than August. For the best and most uniform shoots, the seeds are pre-germinated in a damp napkin for 2-3 days.
 

On the prepared bed, make furrows 2-3 cm deep at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. Seeds are placed in them every 5 cm. In a region with an unstable climate, in April-May, the bed is covered with spunbond at night.

Although radishes easily tolerate frosts down to -4°C, but with a lack of heat, the seeds germinate poorly. The optimal temperature for the friendly emergence of seedlings is 15-20°C. Under these conditions, the sprouts will hatch in 3 days. And at a lower temperature, you will have to wait from 6 to 12 days for seedlings to emerge.
 

The main condition for a rich harvest is regular watering. The soil in the radish bed should always be moderately moist. With a lack of moisture, the root crops will become bitter and flabby.



Also, after each watering, the soil is loosened to a depth of 3-5 cm. Thanks to this, the roots will be able to "breathe".
 

On fertile soils, fertilizers may not be applied, but on depleted soils, it is necessary to use a herbal infusion diluted in water. Fill the container with water by ¼, then add freshly picked plants (at the rate of 10 kg of grass per 100 l of water) and add 2 kg of dry chicken manure. Cover the container with a net, stir the infusion daily and use after the liquid stops fermenting (gas bubbles are not released). This usually happens after 1-3 weeks.

The resulting infusion is diluted with water 1:1 and watered at the roots of the plants.
 

Ideally, the plants should be in the light for 10-12 hours. If the daylight lasts 13-14 hours, and the air temperature reaches 25 ° C, then later varieties of radish do not form a root crop, but bloom. Such plants are covered with dark non-woven material so that they are exposed to light for no more than 10 hours a day.


 

This is the most dangerous pest of radish. It is not recommended to use chemical insecticides so that harmful substances to human health do not accumulate in the root crops. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to preventive measures.

Since radish loves potassium fertilizers, seedlings and soil are treated with fresh ash.

The flea beetle does not tolerate an acidic environment, so watering the radish with acidified water helps to destroy it. For example, you can use a solution of citric acid (1 tbsp. per 10 liters of water).

The flea beetle prefers to feast on dry radish leaves, so they are regularly sprayed with water so that they are constantly moist.

Radishes can be grown both in separate beds and in mixed plantings next to cabbage, potatoes and cucumbers. With proper care, the plants will thank you with a good harvest.