When to remove radishes from the garden for storage

When to Harvest Radishes

Try to remember which radish seeds you sowed. Late-ripening varieties ripen approximately 65–120 days from the moment of germination, mid-ripening varieties - after 50-90 days, early - after 35-55 days. True, the latter variety is not suitable for long-term storage.

Typically, the harvest time for mid-season and late radishes is September-October. The main thing is to have time to get root crops out of the ground before frost arrives. And early varieties begin to be harvested in July. In any case, do not delay this matter, otherwise the vegetables will overripe and become tough.

If the radish begins to produce flower stalks, it is better to remove it ahead of schedule. Try to extract roots as fast as possible. If the radish blooms, its taste and quality will deteriorate.

How to understand that the radish is ripe and it’s time to harvest it

The size of ripe vegetables depends on the variety and is usually indicated on the seed packet. You can also feel the root vegetable - it should be hard and dense. Another sign of radish ripening is the gradual yellowing and drying of the lower leaves.

If you doubt the ripeness of your harvest, remove a couple of root vegetables from the ground and try it. If you like the taste, feel free to remove the entire batch.

How to remove radishes from the garden

Go harvest in dry weather.

Collecting radishes is not at all difficult. Simply grab the tops at the base and carefully lift the root vegetable out of the ground.

Keep in mind that the daikon goes deep into the ground. To avoid damaging the vegetable, grasp the protruding bed part and carefully remove it from the ground.

Place the radishes in a garden bed or under a shelter. Let the root vegetables dry a little, and then clean them of any remaining soil with your hands.

Cut off the tops of each vegetable completely with a clean, sharp knife.

How to store radishes

Sort through the root vegetables. Discard damaged, rotten and soft specimens. Place mid-season and winter varieties in a box and send them to dry cellar or basement, where the temperature is maintained within 2–4 degrees.

You can also keep radishes in the refrigerator by placing them on the bottom shelf or in a special compartment for vegetables.

Late and mid-ripening varieties are stored for about 9 months, early ones - about 1 month. Periodically inspect root crops and promptly remove those that have begun to deteriorate.