Radishes

[whatwhat]

I have had a go at growing my own veggys this year!! I had some radishes in the fridge that had started growing shoots, so I thought I would give them a go and stick them in the ground. They have really taken off are now quite tall, so I thought i would look on line to see when to harvest them, but... the website I saw made it look like you get one radish at the bottom of your radish plant.. so what happens to the one I planted originally.. I assumed it would be like potatoes and there would be loads under there, but it looks like I might only get 5 radishes for my efforts!! Is this the case??!!
Cheers from a rather ungreen fingered gardener!!

[B00]

Yep, one radish per shoot :-)

[Barmaid]

Well I planted some seeds and between the birds and the slugs and the other pest I've got nowt!

[whatwhat]

Oh, thats not very exciting is it!! What happens to the radish I planted?? Also, will it flower?, how will I know when to harvest my .. radish?? (ok 5 radishes) My family is starving and we are waiting for our feast!! Lets hope the tomatoes do a bit better!!

[whatwhat]

Barmaid, I will share my harvest with you!!

[B00]

Hate to further pile on the pain, but don't expect big ones either (said the bishop to the actress)

[rowanwitch]

the ones you buy are the best they get,planting them is pointless as they just send up a flower shoot while the radish turns into a hard and woody root... buy a packett of seeds and follow the instructions then you will have enough little tasty ones to keep you happy

[Barmaid]

Thank you Whatwhat.

I have now had my confidence truly knocked as a gardener since I understood that radishes are about the easiest plant to grow!!!!! Kids are meant to be able to grow them, but I can't!!!

[whatwhat]

Well make my day why dont you!!! Whys that Boo?, is it because they are probably the daftest vegetables to grow. Maybe next time i will see if I can grow a single sweetcorn, or maybe a pea..

[B00]

Dunno whatwhat, I just know i looked at my specimens and said "is that it?!" when they'd grown (hah!). They tasted good mind, just dont expect to feed the 5000 from 'em- sorry.

[whatwhat]

Wow Rowanwitch that has really made my week!!, I mean you might as well of told me that If you plant a radish it turns into a deadly spider and eats everything else in the garden and my children (or something like that!)
Does any one have any ideas for something that I can grow (in the place of the banished radish) that doesnt need direct sun?? Iv tried lettuces and have kindly fed all the slugs, snails and caterpillers in the village x

[puzzled54]

When I first started to grow veg, I can remember being very disappointed that I only got 1 radish per seed - I had expected a bunch like you used to get from the greengrocer!

[whatwhat]

Yes same here puzzled, but at least you got a radish.. I stand to get a woody stalk.. now doesnt that sound appertising!!!

[puzzled54]

Theres not much you can plant at the moment - try carrots, maybe turnips, or try the radishes from seed.

[Barmaid]

Apparently, you can try some beetroot

(from one distressed beginner to another)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whatwhat]

Thanks puzzled, will give it a go!

[whatwhat]

Oh yes, thanks barmaid, iv heard thats as easy as radishes to grow (!!) Might give it a go, or might just go to tesco..!!

[rowanwitch]

Best thing for a beginner... mixed salad leaves or rocket... sow fairly thinly in a row cover very lightly water regularly and do what you have to do to keep the slugs at bey... start snipping off the leaves when they are about 4" high and sow another lot
Most food crops need quite a bit of light but all the lettuce family are ok.... beetroot will be fine and you still have time for spring onions and a short row of winter cabbages (get the baby plants from the garden centre you might even get baby leeks befor the winter if you can find them ready started)

[johnk]

your radishes will go to seed so collect the seed and sow them. You will soon have radishes.

[modeller]

Only young radishes are worth eating . If you want quick salad results try mustard and cress you can sow them and eat them within about 10 days. Great for kids they can see them growing fast every day. You don't even need soil you can grow them on a piece of cotton wool.