Radish Growing Tips and Recipes
Radishes are Ideal for the Child Gardener and Great in the Kitchen
Aug 16, 2009
The radish, Raphanus sativus, is an annual root vegetable which is extremely fast growing and requires little specialist care so it’s ideal for children to plant and nurture. Summer varieties will give results within three to six weeks and winter varieties within three months. Although it is the root that is normally seen on the dinner plate, the leaves are also edible and can be cut up and added to a bowl of green salad.
Tips for Successful Radish Growing
Sow seeds (using winter or summer cropping varieties as appropriate) at regular intervals from January to September and a crop will be available at most times of the year. Radishes grow well in a sunny spot in spring but needs a little more shade in the hot summer months. Protect the growing seedlings with a cloche or cold frame in January and February.
The vegetable thrives in a fertile and well draining soil but will need to be kept well watered in hot weather. Summer varieties can be grown amongst other longer maturing vegetables such as carrots, onions and parsnips. As they are harvested long before the other crops are ready, there will be no conflict with overcrowding.
Making the Most of a Radish Crop in the Kitchen
The humble radish is an excellent source of potassium (vitamin K), vitamin C and a variety of minerals including zinc and calcium according to this organics.net article and at only 16 calories per 100g, with low levels of cholesterol and high levels of fibre, it can be a very useful addition to a calorie controlled diet. The following variety of recipe ideas will use up the crops from the children’s garden corner in no time.
This excellent recipe for Radish Basil Pesto Sauce can be used just like any other pesto.
- Take three radishes, wash and trim them well and chop them up into small pieces about the size of chocolate chips. Open up a tin of tuna, drain it, plonk the fish in a bowl and mash up well with a fork. Add the chopped radish and some mayonnaise to taste and mix together. Serve in sandwiches or as a filling for a baked (or jacket) potato.
- Cut washed and trimmed radishes into quarters and lay on a bed of freshly picked and washed mint leaves to serve as a side dish.
- Slice trimmed and washed summer radishes into thin slices and add to a stir fry.
- Make a radish rose by gently cutting through the radish from the stalk end to the root end. Pop it in a bowl of cold water in the fridge and leave for half an hour or so then use as a garnish.
- Roast prepared and halved radishes with peeled garlic cloves, drizzled with a bit of olive oil, in the oven on gas mark 5, 190 C for half an hour or so as a hot vegetable accompaniment to a roast chicken dinner.
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