Radish School

This year in the garden we grew Radishes.  Yesterday we finished up our meager harvest (our second picking).  I had to pull them early because they were going to bolt.  I thought I would share with you some lessons we have learned: 

Lesson #1  Radishes are a cool weather crop, so if you live in Charlotte and even when you plant them in late February like we did, chances are they will bolt before the entire crop is ready.  Then the already strong flavor will be unbearably strong!  We've learned that the season for growing Radishes is from September to March, which in Charlotte translates to September to early to mid February.  We'll try again in the fall...

Lesson #2  Radishes aren't just for displays of bravery.  I remember feeling like I was proving something by eating Radishes when I was a kid!  How many bites can you take? (If you pick them while young and tender and definately before they bolt they are not as strong). This year we planted a different variety than the familiar red skinned white fleshed Radish.  We planted an heirloom variety called Watermelon which has a green skin and pink flesh.  They do have a different flavor - still very much Radish, but something more somehow.  So try different varieties - there are many!

Lesson #3  You can pickle Radishes.  These were just a simple refrigerator pickle made with Apple Cider Vinegar in water with a bit of salt.  They turned a lovely pink and the boys LOVE them.  I'd like to try making some canned pickles this winter - perhaps a sweet variety, too.  The hotness dissipates when you pickle them, but they still warm your tummy...

Lesson #4  You can COOK Radishes.  This I'd never seen or heard before - I'd only ever eaten them raw and mostly as a salad garnish.  They are excellent roasted and tomorrow evening my plan for the last of our harvest is to have them grilled using this recipe.  You can even wash and chop the tops and prepare them just as you do other cooked greens.  (That's on tomorrow's menu, too.)

Lesson #5  Radishes are a fairly quick crop.  You can save space in the garden by planting them at the same time as another slower growing crop.  We planted a row of carrots very close to either side of the Radishes.  The Radishes were ready to harvest just as the carrots are really getting started, so when I pulled them out yesterday the carrots which were growing under the radish leaves now have plenty of room to grow!