Watermelon radish (or radish) is a popular American hybrid vegetable that has recently become popular in the CIS countries. In this regard, questions arise, what kind of root crop, how to care for it and how to make a good harvest.

Selection history

This variety was bred in Europe, but it was not popular among Europeans themselves. Vegetables are more “loved” by an American gardener in their homeland. And at the beginning of the XXI century, radishes of the indicated variety appeared in the vastness of Russia.

This hybrid has a rounded or oblong shape, the diameter of the root crop is about 7-8 cm. The peel is white-green in color, the flesh is saturated pink, red or purple. Unlike other varieties, it has less juiciness and hardness, and the intensity of the taste decreases as it ripens.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Calorie radish is not more than 20 kcal per 100 grams, and therefore it is part of many diet foods. Proteins - 1.4 g, carbohydrates - 4.1 g. The taste of Watermelon radish is specific, bitterness is felt closer to the top of the vegetable - it is mustard oil, which is concentrated near the peel, and inside the watermelon radish is a sweet pulp.

The benefits and harms of watermelon radish

Watermelon radish is very useful for normalizing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, strengthens the immune system and blood vessels, positively affects the metabolic processes of the body, and improves appetite.

The radish contains: vitamins and minerals: A, B and C, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber.

The use of radishes can be harmful to people with a history of gastrointestinal, kidney, and liver diseases. Radishes tend to irritate the mucous membrane of internal organs. Therefore, people with disorders in the digestive system due to excessive consumption of vegetables have complications in the form of acute pain.

Sowing seeds in open ground

This hybrid is very unpretentious in cultivation, it has good resistance to cold and gives a good harvest. Before planting a watermelon radish, you need to correctly determine the place of planting, pick up good seed and prepare the soil.

The timing

Better yields can be achieved in temperate regions. If all the rules for caring for the root crop are observed, then vegetables can appear about a month after planting the seeds, which makes it possible to get several crops per season (carry out the "sowing" of the crop during the season).

Typically, the sowing period occurs in late April or mid-May. Radish is a short-day plant, if it is in the sun for a long time, then an arrow may appear in the end.

Seat selection and crop rotation

Planting seeds is carried out in a greenhouse or in open ground. On the beds, the earth should warm up to + 15 ° С. The most suitable soils will be clay or sandstone.

Soil acidity should be no more than 7 pH. If the indicator is too high, then you need to resort to the procedure of liming.

A good harvest can be expected if you plant a radish after potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes. Do not plant root crops after beets, cabbage and carrots.

The scheme and depth of crops

The soil must be dug to the depth of the bayonet of the shovel, introduce compost as an organic fertilizer and a complex of phosphorus or potassium mineral fertilizing, make special furrows. Crops of seeds are deepened by a depth of about 3-4 cm, then it is necessary to sprinkle top with nutritious soil and pour warm water.

Until the shoots appear, you can cover the garden bed with special material (plastic film, spanbond):

1. Plants are planted in well-lit areas.
2. The soil should be moisture permeable, but moisture stagnation should be avoided.
3. Plants should be located between the furrows at a distance of 13-15 cm, and from each other - at least 8 cm.
4. 2 seeds are placed in one hole.
5. It is important to shade the watermelon radish so that the fruits, in the end, are not bitter.
6. Weak plants must be removed during thinning.

On the 3-4th day, the first shoots appear, and when 3 of these leaves are formed, the landing is thinned out.

Further care

Caring for a plant is not difficult. You can count on a good harvest if you regularly feed and water the garden.

Did you know? Radish is watered with clean water, an infusion of herbs or an ash solution, which combines watering and top dressing well.

Watering

Watermelon radish should be moistened immediately after sowing with warm water, using a watering can with a sieve-divider. In summer, on hot or windy days, the garden is watered 1-2 times a day (in the morning and evening hours), otherwise the plant dries quickly.

Unequal soil moisture threatens that root crops will be “empty” and not juicy. If there is not enough liquid, the plant releases an arrow with flowers, root vegetables become fibrous and lignified (the cell membrane of the plant changes, it becomes hard and strong, but elasticity is lost).

Overfilling is fraught with fungal diseases. The last time a vegetable crop is watered 5-6 hours before harvesting - this will give the radish juiciness, long-term preservation and better taste.

Fertilizer application

When sowing seeds, granular mineral fertilizers, rotted chicken droppings or manure are introduced into each well. During the growing season, plants are fed fertilizers with a large amount of phosphorus and potassium. As for the introduction of organic matter, the rate of manure application for Watermelon radish is about 4-5 kg ​​per square meter of ridge.

Soil care

Regularly weed the ground to avoid weed inhibition of the crop.

Weeding happens:

• mechanical (using cultivators, harrows and other mechanization);
• chemical (weed control by herbicides);
• manual.

Loosen the soil every 3-4 days, after watering and rain. This will provide oxygen access to the roots, and accelerate plant growth. The soil is also mulched, which protects and improves its properties. In hot weather, mulch will protect plants from overheating. The mulching layer protects the soil from corrosion and retains moisture. Organic mulch - straw, leaves, hay, mowed grass. Inorganic - cut rubber, sand, gravel, plastic.

Harvesting and storage

It is very important to collect the crop on time, because the plant loses a lot of useful qualities when overriding. You need to harvest the fruits in a state of technical maturity. Preferably in dry weather, early in the morning or in the evening. Harvest after harvest must be left on the bed for drying within one day.

In order to preserve vegetables for a long time it is necessary:

• make sure that root crops do not have mechanical damage;
• cut the tops, leaving 2 cm of the green part of the plant;
• pour the crop placed in the box with chalk or ash;
• provide dryness, coolness and good ventilation in the room;
• the approximate storage temperature of radishes is from 0 ° С to + 6 ° С.

By following the above recommendations, Watermelon radish can be stored for 2-3 months.

Important! The walls of the room where the radish will be stored must be treated with lime in order to prevent the formation of rot and mold on the fruits.

Watermelon radish is an early ripening variety that is not difficult to grow for any amateur gardener. Combining a non-standard appearance and useful properties, the vegetable is relevant for culinary experts in many countries of the world.