When to plant radishes in July. What can be planted after or next to radish, and will it grow in place of other crops? Sowing early-ripening varieties of radish
Plant radishes in your garden - this unpretentious fast-growing vegetable can produce crops throughout the spring-summer-autumn season.
How to grow radishes in the summer so that they are sweet and juicy, and do not go into the arrow and grow rough and woody? Follow these five tips and you're guaranteed a delicious radish harvest!
It is simple and can be easily grown in the spring. But many gardeners fail to grow radishes all summer because they shoot and quickly become rough and tasteless.
In order to get good harvests throughout the season, you must follow the following rules for growing radishes :
1. Pick the Right Place to Land
Only loose, light soil with a neutral or slightly acidic environment is suitable for growing radishes. Do not plant radishes after cabbages or other cruciferous plants. For spring sowing, it is necessary to choose open, well-lit places, and for sowing in June - July, it is better to choose a slightly shaded place.
2. Don't thicken crops
Seeds are sown at a distance of 3 - 5 cm. If you planted seeds more often, then be sure to seed the seedlings. With a thickened planting, they do not form a root crop, but quickly expel the flower arrow.
3. Water the plants
Daily watering is required. To grow radishes in summer juicy, in hot weather it needs to be watered even twice a day, the plant must always be in moist soil. It is necessary to water from a small watering can, spending 2 liters of water per square meter. If the earth is dry, a rough and bitter root crop will grow. If you do not have the opportunity to water radishes so often, then cover the bed with it with a light sponbond - this will save precious moisture in the soil.
4. Protect from pests
In summer, radishes are very harmful cruciferous fleas. They damage the young tops of the plant, because of which the root crop stops growing and the plant begins to shoot. You can protect radishes from fleas either by covering them with a sponbond, or by scattering dry mustard or ground pepper between the rows.
5. Reduce daylight hours
Radishes are a long day plant, so one of the secrets to growing radishes in the summer is to reduce daylight hours to 12 hours. For this, during the most short nights(June - July), it is good to cover the bed with radishes for the night with a dark sponbond (from 6 - 7 pm until morning). Then the plants do not shoot, but form excellent root crops.
- One of best harvests radish gives sowing in late summer - early autumn . They begin to plant radishes in August with an interval of two weeks in sunny beds. For such late sowing, it is better to take early-ripening varieties, and choose large seeds, at least 2.5 mm, since small ones will go into color. Sow pre-soaked seeds at large intervals (5 - 7 cm). Seeds are planted to a depth of 2 cm, additionally sprinkled with 2 cm of humus and covered with a film.
Read about how to prepare the soil for growing radishes, how to sow the seeds correctly, and then take care of the plants in the article "
Radishes are early maturing, cold-resistant crops. This is its advantage. A short ripening period (from 16 to 30 days), early sowing, growing at several times - all this makes it possible to alternate radishes with other crops. matured radish — after him planting a different crop. Collected early potatoes in August - before the onset of autumn cold weather, we still have time to grow one crop of radishes.
Why plant radishes?
The radish will feel great in the garden after potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin. Ideally, if organic fertilizers were applied when growing these crops. Permissible plant radishes after tomatoes and legumes.
In addition, it is good to plant radishes in a mixed crop with parsley, carrots, and onions.
Planting radishes after rutabagas, turnips, radishes and cabbages is unacceptable. These crops have common enemies with radishes: diseases and pests. Planting peas is also highly undesirable.
What to plant after radishes?
To increase yields, gardeners use pre-sowing and re-sowing crops. So, in one area, you can first grow early potatoes, and then sow radishes after it (re-sowing). In the reference book "Garden. Practical Tips» it is mentioned that after radishes can be planted late cabbage (pre-sowing). On the contrary, Internet sources indicate that it is impossible to grow cabbage after radishes. A contradiction that can only be clarified by experience In addition to cabbage, it is not recommended to plant spinach after radishes.
On the forums, gardeners are often interested in whether it is possible planting cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes after radishes. Here is the information we found on this:
cucumber after radish – neutral (in addition, a mixed sowing of early radish with seedlings of cucumbers is recommended)
tomatoes after radish – neutral (in addition, a mixed sowing of early radish with tomato seedlings is recommended)
bulb onions after radish - good and neutral (in addition, a mixed sowing of radish with onions is recommended)
But to plant carrot after radish not recommended, but acceptable. In addition, a mixed sowing of radishes with carrots is recommended.
On the same site, you can plant any greens to replace the radish.
Probably, radishes are just as associated with spring as flowers. My husband and I, when we go to the dacha at the beginning of the season, along the road we see juicy bright bunches of crispy radishes for sale. By the way, good business- sale of spring radishes for salad! Let's talk about growing this tasty, spicy root crop today.
March crops
Traditionally, the first spring sowing of radish is done in a low greenhouse. This option is the warmest, the space in the greenhouse warms up well and keeps desired temperature, does not dry out like larger greenhouses.
You can sow seeds in a greenhouse in early March. Spill well hot water soil in the greenhouse, and then press the radish seeds to a depth of 2.5 cm (one phalanx of a finger) in 5 cm increments. Simply sprinkle the hole with earth on top.
What kind of soil does radish like?
Most radish feels comfortable on a mixture of compost and peat- 1 to 1, on a mixture of peat and sod land- 1 to 1, a mixture of humus and soddy land - 2 to 1. Here, in the Chernozem region, you can simply plant it in the ground and wait for the harvest.
Optimal temperatures
In a greenhouse with radishes, try to maintain air temperature within 15 - 18 degrees. If the day is warm, then slightly open the greenhouse. At night in the greenhouse should be about 10 degrees Celsius.
If temperatures are above normal, then your crop will go to the leaves, and if lower, then to the arrows. Therefore, temperature control should not even be carried out visually, but by a thermometer. In this case, your radish will be appreciated by everyone who tastes it!
When to plant radishes outdoors
Approximate dates for planting radishes in open ground– from April 10. But even in this case, on the night of planting, it is still recommended to cover it with a film or agrofiber. During the day, the shelter is removed, and if the day is cloudy, then you can leave it only by opening an impromptu shelter for ventilation from the ends.
Regularly loosen the soil with plantings, radish loves loosening Also, don't let the soil dry out. However, the plant should not be over-watered.
Sowing early-ripening varieties of radish
First spring radish plantings are usually made from early maturing varieties . The most advanced summer residents sow three to four varieties at once, with different terms ripening to ensure that fresh root crops are available daily on your table.
You can plant early ripening radishes with an offset once a week fractional batches. Next, I will call the best varieties early ripe radish for the Middle strip and the Moscow region.
Early growing variety of radish French breakfast
French breakfast - lovely variety early ripening radish. You can eat a fresh crop as early as 20 days after planting. The color is bright red, the tips are white. The shape of the root crop is a cylinder. The pulp of the radish is juicy, crispy, with proper watering not bitter. I recommend!
Early ripe radish variety Heat
Zhara - A very productive early ripening radish variety. It grows quickly, is resistant to cold, which is important in our unstable spring. The color of the root crops is dark red, the shape is classic round.
Ideal for outdoor cultivation landed since April 10 does not need additional shelter. The taste of the pulp is pleasant, well suited for spring vitamin salads, tender and juicy.
Early maturing variety of radish Rubin
Ruby - a versatile variety of radish. Early maturing, able to grow on any type of soil, but if planted in perfect soil, then the return is simply beyond praise. This variety ripens very quickly, yields large, tasty. Resistant to bloom.
The color of the roots is dark red, the shape is close to round. The pulp is juicy and tender, ideal for salads and spring okroshka. I recommend!
Look, for good nutrition, these three early ripe varieties planted at weekly intervals will be enough for you. All varieties are very tasty, grow well, give good yields. You will have a fresh radish for a whole month. Get plenty of vitamins!
From April 10 to mid-May you can sow a new batch of radishes every week. As soon as 2-3 adult leaves appear on the plants, you can start new plantings.
How to grow early ripening radishes in summer
Summer way to grow radishes different from spring. With an increase in daylight hours, the plant needs to be covered from excessive lighting with black agrofibre. Otherwise, the radish will bloom and yield no harvest.
Landings need to be covered from 6 pm to 8 am. That is, to provide landings with 10 hours of daylight. This amount of light will be enough for the ripening of root crops.
note that for planting in the summer, I advise you to use all the same three early varieties in order not to stretch the process and get in as soon as possible delicious harvests. This is the trick of the shelter method with dark agrofibre. The plant will be sure that it is spring outside!
We sow late-ripening radish varieties in August
In the middle of August you can sow the final seasonal plantings of radishes. Late-ripening varieties are now being sown, intended for consumption during autumn and early winter. Here are the top three radish varieties for planting.
Late-ripening variety of radish Red Giant
Red giant - a very productive late-ripening variety of radish. The name speaks for itself, so no comment. Root mass up to 130 grams! The shape of the radish is cylindrical, the color is dark red.
The pulp is white, tasty. Excellent storage and storage. At the same time, it does not lose either hardness or tenderness of taste. Root crops are resistant to pests and diseases. will provide you with vitamins in the winter season.
Late-ripening variety of radish variety Red Giant
Radish variety Red Giant - also refers to late-ripening, well-stored and not flabby for a long time. Root crops are round, dark red, the flesh is white, tender. The plant perfectly tolerates the lack of moisture, which is very important for August.
Radish variety Red Giant
Planting radishes in August is somewhat different from spring, since the soil by this time is already somewhat depleted by previous crops. You can plant radishes after salads, onions on a feather, early ripe tomatoes, leafy mustard.
Before planting seeds organic and mineral supplements . 3 kg of humus are brought to the garden, per sq. m. beds - a teaspoon of urea, a tablespoon of superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
The soil is loosened, leveled, watered, seeds are sown in furrows. The seeds are planted to a depth of 2.5 cm (one phalanx of a finger), the step between the seeds is 10-15 cm, the distance between the furrows is 20 cm.
Pro winter sowing I won’t tell you about radishes - this is a very troublesome business, and most of us conserve summer cottages until spring in the middle of autumn. Better focus on early spring plantings, because it is much more pleasant - after long winter taste the first harvests from their land. Good luck in growing radishes, dear summer residents!
So that the radish does not taste bitter
So that the radish is not bitter
Water the vegetable should be every day in the morning and evening. Better not in the heat, otherwise, the water will evaporate through the leaves.
Before planting radish varieties in the ground, you should pour a little salt into the dug groove, which will make the vegetable crispy and juicy.
Radishes, along with green onions and lettuce, is one of the early ripening vegetables that arrive at the table a month after seed germination. Radishes are distributed everywhere, where only early ones can be grown. vegetable crops. And our Russian summer resident, getting to the site for the first time after hibernation, always tries, at least in the dirt, to sow a small bed of radishes.
Planting dates for radishes
Radish is popular with summer residents not so much because of the high content ascorbic acid(25–40 mg per 100 g), how much due to precocity. By choosing the right varieties and applying some tricks, its crops can be obtained throughout almost the entire year, although by the summer the need for it falls: other sources of vitamins appear. On average, radishes ripen within 24-35 days.
Radish belongs to cold-resistant plants: its seedlings easily tolerate short-term frosts down to -4 o C, and adult plants up to -6 o C, which makes it possible to sow radishes in the most early dates. It is believed that the best time for sowing radishes is when the soil warms up to 7–13 ° C, but the root crop is best formed when the soil temperature is about 16–20 degrees Celsius.
Even such miniature plants are not afraid of frost.
In general, radish seeds begin to germinate already at a temperature of 2-3 ° C. But if you sow radishes very early, its seeds will not disappear, they will sprout in due time. However, prolonged exposure to cold can cause bolting to the detriment of root growth. Those who want to get very early harvests should take this into account: before sowing, shed the grooves with warm or even hot water, and close the bed for the first time nonwovens.
Experienced gardeners sow radishes for the first time very early, often on an ice crust, when the topsoil thaws by 3-4 cm. Of course, the crops are covered polyethylene film, and then non-woven materials, but this approach allows you to get a crop even earlier.
Planting radishes in spring
Based on the temperature ranges, it turns out that in middle lane, in particular, in the Moscow region, and regions with a similar climate, the first sowing of radishes is possible around April 10-15, although, of course, it happens that at this time there is also snow, and it happens that spring comes much earlier.
Actually, no one bothers these days to start sowing in the northern regions, but this will be associated with early preparation of the beds (shoveling snow, thawing the earth with boiling water, etc.). If you do not use extreme agricultural technology, then the sowing dates in most regions of Siberia, the Urals, and also in the North-West fall at the beginning of May.
In the south of Russia (Kuban, Astrakhan region etc.) it is not uncommon to sow radishes in open ground already at the end of winter, and March is a completely normal month for these works.
When can I plant a second radish
The life of a radish in the garden lasts no more than a month. It is useless to keep plants that are lagging behind in growth in the hope that roots will appear on them later. After the main collection, the entire bed must be cleaned of plant residues and prepared for re-sowing. To increase the period of radish consumption, it is sown in several terms at intervals of 12–15 days, the last one is produced no later than May 25th.
Summer sowing: is it possible to plant radishes in June
The last spring sowing is possible in last days May, since in more late dates from sowing, only flowers grow. But at the very beginning of August, when the day is getting shorter, you can resume sowing.
Why can't radishes be sown in the usual way, say, in June? Radish is a "long day" plant. This means that when daylight hours last 17 hours or more, the plant quickly reaches the flowering phase, an arrow appears. The root crop, which develops in the presence of a peduncle, grows small, coarse and inedible. True, non-shooting radish varieties have also appeared, for example, Vera, Aries, Tarzan: they develop normally in almost any light conditions.
Variety Vera is characterized by resistance to flowering and can be planted almost at any time.
A short day in the garden can be arranged artificially. For radish lovers who want to get a normal harvest at any time, there is such an opportunity: cover the beds with radishes from 19 o'clock to 7 o'clock in the morning. The cover is made of light opaque materials. Apply a cover, starting from shoots, for 15-20 days.
Soil selection and preparation
Literally all gardeners are engaged in sowing radishes, but not everyone gets a good result. Radishes work well on light and nutritious soils, in beds not located in the shade of trees. And in order to improve heavy clay, this has to be taken care of in the fall, or even more than one year. Under the radish contribute with autumn digging per 1 m 2, 2–3 buckets of humus or peat and the same amount of sifted river sand.
It is impossible to bring fresh manure under the radish: the foliage will be plentiful, and the roots will not form. The best predecessors for radishes - cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, peas. You can not plant radishes after any cruciferous: radishes, turnips, any kind of cabbage.
In the spring, after the snow has melted, at the site of the future radish beds, surface loosening is carried out with a rake (at first light, and later heavy). When the soil is ripe, garden pitchforks make a shallow digging with compost incorporation - two buckets per 1 m 2. With the drying of the clods, they loosen and level the bed and at the same time add 30–40 g of ammonium nitrate per 1 m 2.
Preparing seeds for planting
Without a significant loss of germination, radish seeds can be stored for 5–6 years. To obtain an early harvest, seeds can be calibrated on special sieves or sieves, the mesh diameter of which is about 1.5 mm. For sowing, seeds with a diameter of at least 2 mm are selected. No further treatment is required for radish seeds: they are sown dry.
True, those who want to speed up the emergence of seedlings sometimes soak the seeds in water for 6-8 hours and even let them peck. A dubious occupation by necessity: the gain in the speed of obtaining a crop will not exceed 1–2 days, and it is more difficult to sow seeds that have hatched than dry ones. And the probability of their death in the event of an unexpected cold snap is also considerable.
Landing methods
Usually, radishes are sown in flat beds, although in many regions suffering from excessive rainfall, the beds of one or another are somewhat raised above the furrows. Almost always they are placed in open ground, although they are covered early crops film. greenhouse cultivation used infrequently.
Planting seeds in the ground
On flat surface beds with a rail press the grooves to a depth of about 1 cm at a distance, for early ripe radishes, 12–15 cm from one another. The seeds prepared for sowing are laid out in the grooves, placing them 3 cm apart. After sowing, the seeds are covered to a depth of 1–2 cm with a light rake or “sowing” through a rare sieve over a bed of humus or peat.
There are varieties with elongated root crops (for example, Ice icicle, Slava, etc.). They are for getting good harvest require, during growth, light hilling. Therefore, when sowing them, furrows are prepared with a depth of 4 cm, and the seeds are planted anyway only by the same 1–2 cm.
The ice icicle is more like a daikon in shape and requires a little hilling
After sowing, the bed is carefully moistened with a watering can with a strainer and covered with a transparent film until germination. At a temperature of 18–20 ° C, seedlings appear on the 5–7th day.
Video: sowing radishes in open ground
Planting in a greenhouse or greenhouse
To get very early harvests radishes are sometimes grown in protected ground. The greenhouse is stuffed with hot manure, covered with a 15-centimeter layer of soddy soil and humus. Seeds of early ripe varieties are sown (in the south in February, in the central regions in March) with a feeding area of 4 x 5 cm, and mid-season - 5 x 6 cm. Then the greenhouse is covered with frames and mats. After germination, the mats in daytime removed, the greenhouse is ventilated.
A similar situation develops with stationary greenhouses. Radishes can be sown in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the middle lane as early as March, if the daytime temperature inside is kept within 15–18 ºС, and at night 8–10 ºС. At the end of the month, sowing can also be carried out in ordinary film greenhouses. If the greenhouse is heated, then radishes can be sown in it throughout the year.
Radishes are grown in a greenhouse industrial scale, ordinary summer residents do this infrequently
Before the emergence of shoots in the greenhouse, they try to maintain a temperature of 16–18 ºС. Immediately after the appearance of sprouts, it is reduced to 6–8 ºС for 3–4 days, optimum temperature in the future - the same as for open ground.
Planting in egg cells
By using egg cartons for planting, gardeners save seeds and avoid the need for thinning or replanting. This is done very simply. In the cells, the conical top is cut off, leaving holes at the bottom. Trays are placed with holes down on the bed and lightly pressed. At the same time, the required amount of loose soil is pressed into the cells, forming evenly spaced holes for sowing. To prevent the cells from being blown away by a strong wind, they can be accessible way(for example, wire staples) are fixed to the ground.
Using egg cells to sow radishes is already becoming something of a tradition.
After carefully calibrating the seeds, they sow one in each hole (if among the seeds they turn out to be unusable, some part of the garden area will be lost). The cells are covered with earth, or better - with a mixture of soil and sand (1: 1) and watered well. In the future, everything happens, as in a normal garden.
home sowing
Radishes can be grown even at home: on a balcony or a sunny windowsill. Of course, this requires large areas, so this technique is rarely practiced. In addition, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the necessary temperature regime and lighting. So, when grown on south side sowing is carried out already at the end of January, and on other window sills - in February. With later crops, you can get only tops.
For sowing, any deep boxes of sufficient size are used, in which soil is placed that meets all the requirements for radishes. In general, the sowing technique does not differ from that in the case of open ground.
Landing patterns
It is useless to get involved in thickened sowing: the thicker, the worse the result. Most early varieties require smallest area nutrition, they are sown according to the scheme 3 x 10 cm (that is, a distance of 10 cm is sufficient between rows). Late-ripening varieties are placed more freely: according to schemes from 5 x 15 to 8 x 20 cm.
Step-by-step process of planting radishes in open ground
So, if we summarize everything that has been said, it turns out that sowing radishes in the garden is completely simple and includes the following steps.
- Autumn digging beds with fertilization.
Digging up the beds is the hardest physical work in the garden.
- Spring loosening and leveling of beds with the addition of compost.
In the spring, compost is added under the rake and shallowly buried in the soil.
- Seed preparation.
If possible, damaged and small seeds are discarded.
- Making seed furrows according to the selected sowing pattern.
You can even mark the grooves with a plank
- Spreading seeds into grooves.
The order of operations may be slightly modified. For example, if the earth has had time to dry out very much, it is worth pouring the grooves from a watering can without a strainer before laying out the seeds. Perhaps, in this embodiment, subsequent watering is not required.Radish transplant
IN young age radishes tolerate transplanting well. Therefore, if the seeds were sown too thickly, and they sprouted well, you can not throw away the extra plants when thinning. And it is absolutely impossible to leave the density in the garden: the harvest will not be obtained. However, transplantation should be carried out as early as possible.
To do this, a bed with dense plantings is watered abundantly and extra plants are very carefully pulled out of it. They are immediately transplanted to a new place, where they are also very well watered. This operation is a bit like picking seedlings, only the roots of the radish during transplantation must be tried not to injure at all: specimens with a torn off tip, if they take root, will not give a normal root crop. Transplantation should be carried out in cloudy weather, preferably in the evening.
Joint planting of radishes
Radish is a very friendly culture: almost no neighbors interfere with it, as, in fact, it does not harm anyone. good choice will plant any salad vegetables nearby: they protect radishes from earthen flea. Beans and nasturtium also protect radishes from various pests. Next to it, you can plant parsley, onions, garlic, peas.
An unfavorable neighbor for radishes, most well-known guides for gardeners call only a rarely grown spice-flavored plant - hyssop. In addition, the situation with cucumbers is ambiguous, there are different opinions. But, in fact, cucumbers grow after the spring harvest of radishes is harvested, so this issue can be removed from discussion.
Video: tips on planting radishes with other crops
Radishes are a vegetable that is very desirable in the spring, when there are still few vitamins in the beds. It is not difficult to sow radishes, but its agricultural technology is only seemingly simple: it grows on well-fertilized beds and requires a lot of moisture and light. Therefore, inexperienced summer residents must first think carefully about where to plant it, and also be prepared for the fact that radishes will require constant care.
The popularity of this root crop is explained very simply. After all, this is an opportunity to crunch on the first spring salads, get a portion of "fresh" vitamins, and for those who like to tinker in the beds - a great reason to start the garden season.
The radish plant belongs to the cruciferous family. The Asian lands are considered the birthplace of this culture, from where it later spread first to China, and then to the rest of the world. Radishes appeared on domestic tables thanks to merchants from the time of Peter the Great. This spicy and juicy vegetable was accepted immediately, and received wide use throughout the Russian territory.
Radish contains phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium and iron, therefore it has a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system and increases blood hemoglobin. Cholagogue properties and high fiber content helps to normalize work gastrointestinal tract, liver and gallbladder. With radish, our body, weakened by a long winter, receives the first vitamins, among which the main place is occupied by vitamins of group B, as well as C and PP.
The growing season of radishes can be one or two years. annual varieties it is more convenient to grow, therefore, among gardeners, those that give seeds in the year of sowing are popular. The shape of the root crop is very different: round, oblong, flat-round, elongated and in the form of a spindle. By color, you can choose red, pink, white and even yellow or purple radishes. Depending on the region and the timing of the cultivation of this crop, it is sown both in greenhouses or hotbeds, and in open ground. 
Planting radishes in the spring - five rules for a good harvest
Taking into account that radish develops better with a short daylight hours, it must be sown at the appropriate time. Soil moisture directly affects the formation of the root crop, and the availability of the necessary fertilizers and temperature conditions - on the quantity and quality of the crop. Therefore, despite the seeming simplicity of growing radishes, only compliance with certain requirements guarantees in the end a worthy reward for your work.
Rule one - deadlines
Early varieties of radishes allow you to get the first harvest after three to four weeks from the day of emergence. Therefore, as soon as warm days are established, you can start preparing the beds. Radish is a fairly cold-resistant plant, it can withstand night frosts down to minus 5 - 6 degrees without loss, but at low daytime temperatures (up to +8) shoots will appear for a long time. best timing sowing is considered the end of March - the beginning of April, when the sun generously gives warmth, warming the earth and air. It is more accurate to determine the lines when you can sow radishes yourself, based on the fact that at a temperature: 
- up to + 10 degrees - seedlings will have to wait a long time;
- from +10 to +15 - they will appear in a week;
- closer to +18 ... +22 - the first greens will hatch on the fourth day.
most favorable average daily temperature+ 20 degrees is considered for the successful formation of a root crop.
Depending on when such events are expected in your area weather, you should choose, and the days when to plant radishes.
The first selective harvest begins to be harvested after 20-25 days, and then the rest ripens. To maximize the "radish" season, you need to sow it with an interval of one week. So, gradually ripening, the harvest will delight you all spring with young, juicy vegetables.
This is interesting! It is thanks to the relatively short growing season that the radish was chosen for cultivation at the International space station. On its basis, studies of the genetic characteristics of crops grown under weightless conditions were carried out.
Closer to the beginning of summer, it is recommended to stop sowing, as long daylight hours and hot weather quickly lead to the shooting of plants and a decrease in the taste of the root crop. It will be possible to resume the cultivation of radishes only in September.
Rule two - soil
Like most others horticultural crops radish loves fertile soil. Therefore, before sowing radishes, you need to choose the most suitable site and prepare the ground.
Given the good responsiveness of root crops to organic fertilizers, it is better to prepare a garden bed for radishes in the fall. To do this, compost, humus or manure is brought into the ground and dug up thirty centimeters. If the soil is too clayey, then a little peat or coarse river sand should be added, because radish crops grow better on loose, light soils. When making mineral fertilizers on square meter land, good results show the addition of ammonium nitrate (10-15 g), superphosphate (20-25 g) and potassium chloride (15-20 g). The acidity of the soil for radishes is better neutral, in extreme cases, slightly acidic is allowed.
Sowing radishes in open ground is carried out in sunny, wind-protected areas. The best for spring crops are the southern and southeastern sides, where the earth thaws faster and there is plenty of light for future entrances. Experience shows that radishes are an excellent predecessor for many garden crops, they perfectly prepare the soil for tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and cucumbers. It is especially convenient to grow radishes every year in a new place, which helps to improve the crop rotation of the garden. The only exceptions are cruciferous plants - cabbage, mustard, watercress and others, which can transmit diseases of this family to the following plantings.
Advice! Radish is an excellent compactor and a kind of "marker" of other crops.
Sowing radish seeds next to cucumber seedlings or rows of potatoes will result in two crops from the same bed. And the spring planting of onions on greens, dill and lettuce crops will go well with rows of early radishes.
Many gardeners know how laborious the first weeding of carrot beds is - its thin, barely noticeable shoots are difficult to see among the weeds that have risen. And this is where the rare radish bushes sown, along with carrot seeds, help determine future rows.
Rule three - sowing
When growing radishes in a greenhouse or film greenhouse, radishes are often sown without pre-training seeds. Between the grooves, a distance of about the width of a palm is kept, and the seeds are covered with a two-centimeter layer of earth. After the emergence of seedlings, it is desirable to thin out the crops, leaving 3–5 cm between adjacent bushes. If the sowing is carried out more carefully, introducing the seeds, taking into account the required distance, then it will not be necessary to break through the entrances.
Advice! In order to sow radishes faster and better, you can still stick its seeds on long strips of paper in winter and dry them. In the spring, it will be enough just to lay these tapes in moistened grooves and cover them with earth.
Sometimes sowing radishes, especially in the northern regions, requires preliminary preparation. Calibration of seeds by size and weight is carried out to obtain friendly seedlings and a simultaneous harvest, and is more often used when planting radishes for sale. But soaking and germinating seeds allows you to get faster shoots, and hence an earlier harvest.
Before planting radishes with seeds, they are wrapped in a linen napkin, placed in a container with a small amount of water. room temperature. Usually the seeds hatch already on the second or third day and are ready for sowing.
Rule four - watering
Radish loves watering, that's for sure. Moist soil contributes to the successful formation of a regular, juicy root crop. Therefore, it is necessary to sow seeds in spilled grooves, and it is undesirable to skip sprinkling the first shoots, and further care consists in regular, generous watering. Of course, do not forget that moist soil does not mean stagnant water in the soil. Excessive moisture invariably leads to root rot.
Advice! March crops it is better to water radishes in film greenhouses warm water, temperature 25-30 degrees. Such an evening “shower” will not only water the plants, but will also allow you to keep warm during the night cooling.
Rule five - fertilizer
Radish - planting and caring for this crop does not take much time. At proper preparation beds and fertile enough soil, radish plantings do not require additional fertilization. For his short growing season the available power will suffice. If the fertility of the soil leaves much to be desired, then a week after the appearance of the first shoots, the radish can be fed a little organic fertilizers. Usually, compost infusion or fermented manure infusion is added to the water for irrigation. Last year's dry humus or chopped mowed grass is poured onto the garden bed as mulch. The main thing in fertilizing radishes is not to overdo it! A large number of nutrients in the soil lead to lush vegetation of radish greens, to stalk and negatively affects the shape and taste of the root crop.
The best varieties of radishes for spring crops
Depending on the time of sowing, the optimal varieties of radish are also selected.
- French breakfast - early maturing variety. No more than 20-25 days pass from germination to ripening. The shape of the fruit is elongated, 3-4 cm long, bright red in color with a white tip.
- Early red - matures in 27-30 days. Differs in resistance to shooting. Root crops are rounded, dark red in color with a white, juicy core.
- Helios. Average ripening period, about 30 days . Excellent taste and unusual, yellow root crop allowed this variety to gain popularity.
- Sora. The fruits are large (up to 4-5 cm in diameter), dense, juicy, rich red in color. Characterized by resistance to high temperatures and diseases, does not form voids. Thanks to this, it can be successfully grown at the end of May and even in June. The popularity of this variety is its high yield.
The first spring vegetable, its quick harvest and ease of care makes the radish one of the favorite garden crops. And properly selected varieties and sowing dates of radishes provide your family with vitamin salads for a long time.
