Radish is a relatively low-maintenance crop, usually ready to harvest in five to ten weeks, and you can harvest both roots and leaves at the same time. Start by sowing seeds and plan to plant radishes in spring or fall!
How to harvest radishes is part of a series of tutorials on growing radishes. The tutorial also includes planting, comprehensive care, and harvesting. If you want to know how to harvest radishes, follow this article from the production department. Let’s learn the radish picture tutorial.
How to harvest radishes
1Harvest radish leaves early. Generally, harvesting occurs when there are enough leaves to pick. Usually when the leaves are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) tall.
- As long as the growing points or nodes are not removed, radish leaves should regrow after being picked.
- If you want to harvest leaves and roots from the same plant, remove only two or three leaves from each plant. If you remove all the leaves, the roots will die.
2Pull out the radishes once they are ripe. You should be able to harvest delicious, ripe radishes in five to ten weeks. Early varieties take just five weeks, while main varieties take six to ten weeks. - You can pull out radishes with your hands. To harvest large radishes, use a spade to loosen the soil around the roots before pulling.
- You can harvest radishes of almost any size. But radishes are more tender and sweeter than larger radishes, so most people prefer to harvest radishes when the root diameter is 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm).
- You can gauge the size of a plant by gently brushing away the top layer of soil to expose the roots underneath. If one radish is ready for harvest, then most of the others are too.
- Make sure your radishes are ready for harvest before the first frost. Don't let them get too big, as overripe radishes taste very woody and old.
3Low temperature refrigeration. After being wrapped and stored in a cool place, harvested radishes usually last three to four months. Consider storing it in a basement, cellar or shed and covering it with straw.
- Before storing radishes, twist off the tops, leaving half an inch (1.25 cm) of stem. Don't wash away any soil as it will really help protect the roots during storage.
- You can leave fall radishes in the ground and cover them with a thick layer of mulch in early winter, but pull them out before the soil freezes and hardens.
- Radishes can also be stored in the refrigerator.
Materials that may be used
- Radish seeds
- Soil pH test tool
- Compost
- Retting
- Gardening shovel or rake
- Water bottle or garden hose
- Mulch film
- Food-safe fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus
- Food-safe biocides Insecticide (if needed)
- Straw (for storage; optional)
DIY Tips
- Some recommended radish varieties include: Chaos, Gilfeather, Golden Ball, Market Express, Purple Top White Ball, Crown, Blood Queen, Tokyo Cross, White Knight and White Lady.
Growing radishes
How to grow radish, illustrated tutorial on growing radish
How to care for radish, illustrated tutorial on growing radish
