The radish, scientifically known as raphanus sativus, belongs to the Brassicaceae family. More commonly known as table radish, the red radish is an edible root which is used to garnish meals and is also used in fresh vegetable platters locally.

This underground vegetable has a mild acidic taste and is a must-have in your garden. This is because all types of radishes are among the most easily grown kitchen garden vegetables. The quick result and harvest also makes it one of the best plants to grow, especially if you are trying to explore gardening as a family activity with your children. I will primarily be discussing how you can easily sow, grow and harvest the red radish.

Red radishes have a bright pink to dark red thin outer skin and white flesh inside. This not only makes for a very attractive addition to the display of fresh vegetable sellers, it also lends a mild peppery flavour to most meals. Even the leaves of the red radish are consumed in condiments and curries.

As compared to its more common white counterpart, red radishes are much smaller in size. These are generally round, conical, oval and sometimes elongated in shape. Since this root vegetable is much smaller in size than the white one, it can easily be grown in small pots and containers, which you may otherwise use for growing saplings of other vegetables and fruits.

This easy to grow and robust plant is a must-have in your garden, not only because of the taste it will lend to your meals but also because of its striking colour

The seeds of the red radish are oval in shape. Although the red radish can grow throughout the year, the spring and fall seasons are more suitable for sowing the seeds. In warmer regions, however, the red radish plants are likely to bolt earlier and the produce being harvested is likely to be more peppery in taste.

Although many saplings are transplanted when they grow bigger in size, it is not preferred to shift the root vegetable saplings. It is highly recommended to sow the seeds of the red radish directly in the place where one will conduct the final harvest as well. The seeds of the red radish can easily be sown in a variety of places, ranging from small pots to raised beds to the boundaries of containers containing other plants and any other available space.

Before sowing the seeds, ensure that the soil is well drained, rich in organic matter and not compact. It is better to prepare the soil in advance by watering it, so that the seeds do not spread too much after sowing. It is better to choose a location where there is enough sunlight available from morning till evening, which is fundamental for the plant to flourish.

Sow the seeds at least half an inch below the surface. There should be a spacing of at least one inch between the sown seeds. The size of the container should be at least four inches in depth, to provide for enough space for the vegetable to grow. If the seeds are being sown in the ground, then the spacing between the rows should be at least six to nine inches.

The soil should now be covered to ensure that it remains moist. In favourable conditions, the sown seeds should germinate within one to two weeks. If there is overcrowding, remove the extra plants so that there is a gap of at least one inch. This removal of plants is known as thinning. The process of thinning allows every individual plant to develop completely, getting maximum nutrient content from the soil, without fighting for its due share from the other surrounding plants. This ensures a better yield with proper growth and size.

A developed plant is likely to attain a height of three to six inches. The plant should be watered well till it is fully developed. Ample watering hastens the growth and helps the edible root to be less woody and makes it more palatable.

Although the red radish plants are not heavy feeders, you may add the minimum amount of any potassium- and phosphorus-based fertilisers to the soil. Any organic pesticide should be used after every 10 days to deflect any pest attack.

Tentatively, the produce from the sown seeds is harvested in around four to six weeks, depending upon a number of factors. The idea is to sow, grow and harvest limited quantities of red radish at home, while repeating the process multiple times throughout the season. This will ensure a continuous and ample supply of red radishes for your meals.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, February 12th, 2023