Viola Purple Radish

Sowing:

Small-rooted radishes are very easy to grow. Direct sow the seeds in rows or lightly scatter in well-loosened soil. Round radish seeds are covered with a very fine layer of soil. French breakfast type varieties are covered with 2cm of potting mix or fine soil. Firm down lightly with the back of a rake and water gently. Keep the soil moist until germination.

Radishes can be sown all year round, preferably from late winter to early summer (except during dry spells), and then in late summer/early autumn, when the soil is still warm and before the first frosts. Grow your radishes in open, sunny sites with light shade during the hot summer months. Water little but often.

Forcing varieties:

Sow as early as February under a cold frame or low tunnel until frosts are no longer to be feared. Early radish seeds can be lightly scattered rather than sown in rows.

Spring and summer radishes:

Sow as regularly as needed from May until late summer, or even early autumn in warmer climates. Direct sow in rows, spaced 10 to 20cm apart.

Winter radishes:

Direct sow from June to November depending on the climate, in rows spaced 20 to 30cm apart.

Care:

Once the seedlings have emerged, they need to be thinned out. This consists in removing the weakest plants and keeping only the most vigorous (every 4-5cm for small-rooted radishes, and 10-15cm for large-rooted radishes).

The soil needs to be kept cool and moist by regular watering. Make sure to hoe, weed and mulch your plants for milder, less fiery-tasting radishes. Moreover, constant soil moisture helps prevent flea beetles from damaging your crops as they thrive in hot, dry conditions.