Radishes should be harvested at the right time. If this is not done in time, the quality of the roots can deteriorate greatly. In this article, we will explain when to harvest radishes to get the most out of your crop.
If radishes remain in the soil longer than they should, the root will begin to hollow out, losing all its properties.
It is preferable to harvest the radishes before they are fully ripe rather than long after they are ripe. Continue reading to learn all about the harvesting and picking of radishes.
When are Radishes Ready to Harvest?
When are Radishes Ready to Harvest? Harvesting radishes should begin as soon as the root (radish head) reaches an edible size and should be completed quickly before there is too much heat, or before it becomes spongy, or the seed-producing stalks begin to develop.
Harvesting should not exceed 30 to 40 days, otherwise, if left longer, they will harden, overgrow, crack, and hollow.
Most radishes varieties are ready to harvest when they reach a mature size. This size can vary depending on the variety, but it is typically around 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in diameter.
How to Know When Radishes Are Ready to Harvest
Radishes are relatively quick-growing vegetables, and they are usually ready to harvest within a few weeks of planting.
How to Know When Radishes Are Ready to Harvest? To know when radishes are ready to be harvested, there is nothing better than to check weekly.
Keep an eye on the time that has elapsed since the radishes were sown, and look at the size and appearance of the roots.
It may also be a good idea to pull a few radishes of different sizes and cut the root in half to see inside. If it remains juicy and turgid, its quality is still good. If you can see holes in any of them, you should hurry to harvest the radishes because they are already beginning to deteriorate.
The time elapsed from sowing to harvesting radish varies depending on the time of year in which the radish crop is grown.
I usually harvest radishes 30 days after sowing the seeds. These days to maturity can vary a bit depending on climate conditions. During the last heat wave, many of my radishes did not develop properly and took longer to be ready to harvest.
When to Harvest Radishes in Summer
When to Harvest Radishes in Summer? In hot weather, radishes should be harvested when they reach maturity – or earlier if desired – but never later.
During the summer, it is easier for the radish crop to suffer from variations in humidity, which can accelerate the process of root deterioration.
In general, a month and a half after planting, radishes with smaller roots will begin to be ready for harvest.
Radishes with larger roots will take a little longer, up to about two and a half months.
In between the two limits, the radishes with intermediate roots will mature.
When to Harvest Radishes in Winter
When to Harvest Radishes in Winter? Cooler temperatures mean that radishes can be left in the soil for some time after they are ready for harvesting, without compromising radish quality.
That said, it should be noted that frost can also cause the radish root to become hollow, so they will not be left in the soil if temperatures below or near 32 °F (0 °C) are expected.
In summary, in winter radishes can be harvested when ripe or later, but always before frost occurs.
When to Pick Radishes
When to Pick Radishes? Radishes are typically ready to pick relatively quickly after planting, often within 30 to 40 days depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Most radish varieties are best picked when they reach a diameter of about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm). Normally my Cherry Belle radishes are ready to be picked after 30 days of sowing the seeds. These days to maturity can vary but should not exceed 40 days, as they are very fast-growing radishes.
How to Pick Radishes
How to Pick Radishes? In small extensions, it is done manually, pulling the leaves of the radish plant to extract the root from the soil.
If the soil is not very compact, it will come out easily. If the soil is hardened and extraction is complicated, a small hoe, pitchfork, or any tool that can penetrate the soil should be used.
Also, to pick radishes more easily, you can moisten the substrate the day before and then pick them the next morning.
For large areas, there is specialized machinery for harvesting radishes.
How Many Radishes Per Plant?
How Many Radishes Per Plant? A radish seed will give us a plant that will only produce one radish.
How Many Radishes Per Plant? Between 2.2 and 9 lbs. (1.5 and 4 kg) per 10 square feet (1 square meter), depending on the type of radish, climatic conditions, soil, etc.
Since radish is a very suitable vegetable for staggered sowing (successive sowing), a couple of square meters can supply a small family with radishes throughout the year.
In general, round radishes offer a lower production in weight per surface. This is because they occupy practically the same space, but the root is less heavy than in the elongated varieties.
Radish Planting Time
Radishes are vegetables that prefer cool, moist weather. To have an excellent radish harvest, the best time to sow radish should be considered.
In most of the existing radish varieties, high temperatures cause a rapid entry into flowering, spoiling the radish crop before harvest.
Some resistant radish varieties can indeed develop well in the summer months, so it is necessary to distinguish between them when talking about sowing time.
Since there are very different climates all over the world and even particular microclimates in specific areas, it is difficult to know the dates in advance.
This is why it can be very useful, at least when you have no experience with growing in a particular location, to follow the following rule:
Sow radishes at least 2 months before the weather becomes too hot or too cold (frost). Learn more about How to Grow Radish.
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Final Conclusions About Harvesting Radishes
In conclusion, harvesting radishes requires a balance of timing, observation, and readiness indicators. Radishes are relatively quick-growing vegetables, often ready for harvest within 30 to 40 days depending on the variety and conditions. The days to maturity, size, color, texture, and taste all provide valuable cues for determining their readiness.
A radish is typically ready for picking when it has reached the recommended size, usually around 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in diameter, with a vibrant and consistent color across the root.
I hope you find this article on radish harvesting useful and that you will enjoy a bountiful harvest. Remember to check the radishes daily in the last few weeks to harvest them at the perfect time.
