Norann Oleson, Editorial Director of Food Gardening Network
Norann Oleson, Editorial Director of Food Gardening Network
If you’re a no-fuss gardener, then you’ll love delicate, spicy radishes. These rainbow-colored jewels range in size from just an inch to 12 inches or more, and they’re a star garnish on the fanciest of dinner plates.
Radishes (Raphanus sativus) are annual plants in the Brassicaceae mustard family. So, while they might look to you like a carrot or a turnip, radishes are actually more closely related to Brussels sprouts and cabbage. And unfortunately, radishes are targeted by many of the same pests.
The good news is that this means you can plant radishes alongside other root vegetables (like carrots) because they don’t attract the same diseases or insects, and they can actually help one another out in the garden.
You can start growing radishes in your garden or on your deck in deep containers, and we’ll walk you through the whole process.
First is the collection’s Introduction, where you’ll learn some of the basics about radishes and how to choose the right variety to grow. You’ll also get the history of this vibrant vegetable.
Next, in the Feature Articles, you’ll get specifics about radish growing—from the types of radishes to the best way to start growing, watering, and harvesting your plants so they stay healthy and productive throughout the season.
There’s a lot to know about growing radishes, so even if you’re a veteran, you might learn something new. We aim to gather everything there is to know about growing radishes into this single collection!
We have several fun Plant Profiles with the more popular varieties listed, including options for gardeners around the country and those who want to grow radishes in containers.
There are dozens of varieties of radishes throughout the world, but not all of them are available in the United States. We’ve chosen these plant profiles because they are some of the most commonly grown. If you’d like us to include another variety that appeals to you, please let me know by commenting below.
After all, this is Food Gardening Network, and we want to include the knowledge of all our gardening readers in everything we do. Your input is just as important to us as anything we come up with on our own!
We do think you’ll love the radish Recipes we’ve compiled for enjoying the fruits of your labor. They cover some of our favorite ways to consume radishes as part of a healthy side dish, in a salad, or even in a beverage.
After that, you’ll be interested to learn how radishes can benefit your health in Nutrition Facts about Radishes. Radishes are rich in vitamin C and potassium, and are also great for your skin and gut!
Then there are the Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Radishes where you’ll learn how radishes may help aid in weight loss and fight cancer.
Because we want you to have everything there is to know about radishes at your fingertips, we’ve included a Resources section that’s complementary to this collection. Learn more about tools specific to growing radishes and kitchen tools that will come in handy after you’ve harvested your roots.
As always, we’ve included a brief Glossary in case you need a deeper explanation of any key terms. Be sure to let us know if there’s something else you need explained.
I’m off to make a batch of Radish Lemonade right now, but I hope you’re ready to dive in and become a master radish grower!
