Radish

Radishes are quick to grow, and are an early cropping plant for early spring.

Sow seeds thinly (appx 1 inch apart) to avoid the need to thin your rows.

Make successive sowings fortnightly.

Make sure seedlings are planted deeply enough!  Follow the guidance on your seed packs.  There are many different types of radish – experiment to find your favourite.

Water regularly to ensure even, rapid growth.

If all else fails, let a few go to seed and harvest the edible seed pods.

There are also winter radish cultivars, which should be thinned to 15cm (6in) apart.  Whereas summer radishes should be harvested to ensure they don’t mature and become woody, winter cultivars can be left in the ground and dug up as required – or lifted in November and stored.

The RHS recommends using radish as a ‘catch crop’ between rows of slower-growing vegetables such as peas and potatoes.  They can also be used as row markers of slow-germinating crops, such as parsnip and onion;  because radish germinate quickly, they can help to mark the row where other crops have been sown.  The radishes will mature and can be pulled before interfering with the main crop.