Spindly Radishes

My radishes have concerned me for a couple of weeks now. I noticed that they were rather spindly and the red parts were growing above the ground. On Sunday one had worked its way up to the surface and it looked great, nice and round, about the size of a large marble. That gave me high hopes! I went back out last night and pulled the rest. What a lame harvest!





Now I think one of 2 things (or both) happened that made my radish crop stink so bad. First, I thought I could get away with squeezing in extras. I had 16 spots in my square which is the proper spacing for SFG, but I let 2 grow in each spot, I am pretty sure the crowding is what ruined my crop.

The other thing that I think I might have done wrong was that I dont think I planted them deep enough. Either from not sowing deep enough, or from erosion/settling of the soil immediately after sowing seeds. The red parts were growing above ground on more than half of my radishes. I have also had some lettuce that seemed like they were not rooted well. I plan on sowing my seeds a little bit deeper to prevent this from happening in the future. The second crop of radishes went in the ground last night.

Madcapper wrote:
Now I think one of 2 things (or both) happened that made my radish crop stink so bad. First, I thought I could get away with squeezing in extras. I had 16 spots in my square which is the proper spacing for SFG, but I let 2 grow in each spot, I am pretty sure the crowding is what ruined my crop.

Yes, crowding will result in small radish roots. Thin to one plant every inch or two.

Madcapper wrote: The red parts were growing above ground on more than half of my radishes.

This is absolutely normal and no need to worry.

Madcapper wrote: I have also had some lettuce that seemed like they were not rooted well. I plan on sowing my seeds a little bit deeper to prevent this from happening in the future.

Lettuce seed should be sprinkled on the surface and pressed into the soil. If you think the roots are shallow on the seedlings, go ahead and transplant. IN general, lettuce seeds need light to germinate.

Sorry to hear about your radishes! Proper spacing is KEY!

This batch was raised in store-bought compost, in way-too-warm of a Spring:





Here's hoping for you for a Fall crop!

What type of radish is that brainchasm? My wife is very interested in those for her salads!

When I originally answered this thread I was at work and cannot see images, and sometimes not even know images are included in posts. Brainchasm's are French Breakfast Radish, if I am not mistaken, my favorite radish. Lovely raw but even better slightly sauteed in olive oil and a dash of sea salt.

They really don't look too bad at all... for home grown they are divine!

Try again Madcapper, sow the seed a bit more thinly, I find most radish seed has a fairly high germination rate.

They are indeed French Breakfasts, an old French heirloom, from I believe around 1885!

At a recent nursery open house (with barbecue), I tasted some French breakfast radishes, and they were delicious!