The More You Grow: Radish Harvest
- Kelsey
- May 12, 2023
- 2 min read
It's the beginning of May in very warm and muggy Kansas! The kids and I went to the garden to check everything and make sure things looked good. We noticed some tiny silver bugs crawling on and eating the leaves of our radishes, so we decided it was time to harvest them! It has been a little over a month since we planted them back in March.
Most of them had grown well, and we usually try to get to them when they're about 1 to 1 1/2" in diameter. Some of them were still in the tiny root phase. They could have been left in the garden to grow a little bit longer, but since there were some bugs disturbing them, we pulled the entire row. Regardless, radishes are mature and ready to be pulled anywhere from 30-50 days after planting depending on the weather, so they were ready to come out!
Radishes are very simple to grow. In fact, it's one of the most low-maintenance vegetables you can plant! We give tips on how we plant our radishes in the Spring in the post Cold Crop Planting in Kansas: A Timeline.
Why do we plant radishes? I'll be honest, in the beginning I just figured it was to help keep the weeds at bay. Sure they make a great topping on salads, if you can handle the spicy bite they bring. But it wasn't until recently that I learned the actual benefits radishes bring to our bodies that include (but are not limited to):
Heart Health
Radishes contain calcium, potassium, and certain plant compounds that are protective antioxidants that help reduce inflammatory damage. Such inflammatory damage can lead to high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, and eventually, heart disease. Radishes also contain a sulfur-rich phytochemical (which gives it the kick) that protects cells from DNA damage, guarding against diseases such as cancer.
Antifungal Potential
Not only do they contain compounds that protect against inflammatory damage, but they also contain natural compounds that may be effective against candida infections, like thrush or yeast infections!
Good for the Gut
Did you know you can consume the leaves of radishes? Both the root and the leaves are good sources of antioxidants and also contain vitamin C, which ultimately protects our cells and boosts the immune system. They're also good for our gut, and may help promote digestion in the way of removing toxins and waste from the liver.
There are many ways you can prepare radishes, including roasting or pickling them. You can slice on top of a salad, or simply just eat them raw for a snack by themselves! We usually just dip them in a bit of salt to counteract their spicy flavor and eat them raw, or add them to a bed of freshly picked spinach and any other veggies we have on hand. I've known people to add radish leaves to their smoothies for the extra health benefits!
If you've missed the cool Spring planting, don't worry! You can plant radishes again in the Fall! Just make sure you sow the seeds after temperatures are consistently 70° or below.
**This is not medical advice, but my own independent research from the sites listed below.
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