The Mighty Roman Radish

The Radish is usually the first vegetable we harvest.

Growing radishes was pioneered before the Roman empire; the name “radish” derived from “radix,” the Latin word for “root”

We had a good rain here last Saturday and on Sunday I went out to the garden to find my Radishes showing off their sexy shoulders

Radishes will push out of the ground as they grow and mature.

You’ll see the “shoulder” of the radish pop up above the soil when they’re ready to harvest. If you don’t harvest within the next week, the roots will become pithy, flavorless, and woody. Spring radishes are ready to harvest around 3 to 5 weeks after seeding.

I planted mine March 22nd, exactly 4 weeks to the day that they showed me their “shoulders”.  I planted two different varieties side by side; D’Avignon and Tri-Colored Easter Egg.  D’Avignon is the one popping up a variety from the South of France.  They are a tiny, slender variety that only grows around 3-4″.  I always try to plant a varieties I won’t see in my grocery store.

Lack of moisture can make for hot or even bitter radishes at harvest time. It’s not bad if you like hot radishes but you run the risk of ruining your crop if you don’t give them regular watering. At least twice a week they should be thoroughly watered. Dried out radishes can also end up very hollow inside, or “pithy”.

They grow best in full sun and fertile, loose soil with good drainage.

Colors range from red, pink, and white, to gray-black or yellow radishes, in varying sizes and shapes, the most popular being the red round radish.

Now that you know they are easy to grow, why grow them, because these little gems are loaded with healthy goodness!

Radishes are high in vitamin C, making them a good detoxifier, eliminating toxins that can make you sick. This is especially true to prevent many types of cancer including; kidney, stomach, mouth and colon cancers. But this same vitamin C is also responsible for keeping illnesses like the common cold at bay, as well as chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

Recipe: Easy Delicious Bibb Salad

Another health benefit of radishes is due to their status as an anti-congestive, which relieves congestion in the respiratory system. When you get a cold, or an allergic flare-up or infections, a healthy dose of radishes can help clear up congestion for a quicker heal time.

Radishes are also a healthy and low-calorie way to cure jaundice, urinary disorders, fever, insect bites and kidney disorders.

Now all you have to do is add one serving of radishes to your diet this week!  You know I will be adding it in my eggs, salads and dips!!

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