Radishes are supposed to be so easy and quick to grow that Fourth Grade students use them as science projects.
But in that field, I flunk. For years I've planted radish seeds -- in every place, in every kind of soil, deep and shallow, but no matter what, they always come up, form a spindly stem, and that's it. I never get a root.
What's the problem?
Hopefully, it is hard soil. This year I have very soft soil and I'm hoping for a better crop of radishes. Shouldn't be long before I find out. The other possibility is too much nitrogen which favors vegetaive growth instead of root growth. Try steamed bone meal (1-13-0), and some greensand or wood ashes, to stimulate root growth.
Lack of sunlight will do this.
EJ > >
My problem is definitely not hard soil, nor is it lack of sun. It has to be something else. Maybe the excess nitrogen, but I've tried planting in many different locations. The result is always the same -- leaves, stems, and no roots.
Here in NY I've found radishes do best planted in very early spring, during cool/cold wet weather... sown once it warms up it's mostly the leaves that grow, the radishes become woody, very small, insect infested, and overly sharp tasting, once planted past the peak time it's hardly worth the trouble. I don't plant radishes every year but weather permitting I will sow a packet in my herb garden by my back door where I can see them from my window. I pick them early before they become too large and are pithy. I don't ordinarilly buy ordinary radishes, I usually buy those giant diakons, they're mild and crisp, very nice in a salad or even a light soup... diakon is good in ramen along with bock choy, napa, garlic, 'shooms, etc. Too bad diakon isn't available bright red skinned, least I've never seen any. I've tried growing diakon but no luck... I think "No Luck" is the name of a Chinese market.
Radishes have been my worst crop and I am trying it again. The soil is tilled and the radishes have been up for two weeks. It has been raining everyday for the past 8 days and the soil is saturated. The radishes I harvested last year were small and bitter, probably from being in the ground too long or maybe not enough sand. No signs of insect damage. They are not spindly at all, as they are getting plenty of full sun.
If you want to plant a good radish that is not hot or woody, try the German Parat radish. I've had very good luck with them and they taste good and grow very well to a large to medium size. I got mine from Gurney. I think Burpee has them too.
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