Plant Doctor Archive

Radishes

COULD you please tell me why some radish plants fail to produce edible roots even though others in the same row and from the same seed packet swell up splendidly. The leaves are the same, whether they produce actual radishes or not.

RADISHES are usually an easy vegetable to grow. However, they can sometimes be hard to grow when conditions are hot and dry. The swelling of the roots is often not great, and they can become woody and peppery tasting. Also, watch your watering at this time of year. Erratic watering can also lead to the poor growth of plants during the hot summer. Some plants are simply more susceptible than others.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.