Radishes seemed like a good idea back when I sowed the seed in the garden. I had not grown any in many years. I thought that the particular location would be cool enough to inhibit bolting, even though it was starting to get close to the end of their season here. They are definitely a cool season vegetable here, with brief seasons in spring and autumn. Some linger through winter.
The seed germinated efficiently. The seedlings started out well. Radishes are small roots that mature in only about three weeks. Technically, they were right on schedule. I happened to get a few tiny radishes from the batch. However, after the seed were sown, but before the radish roots developed, the formerly cool spring weather warmed suddenly enough to stimulate bolting.
The elongation of floral stalks was visible within the foliar rosettes of most of the individual radishes while they were still quite dinky. Initially, I thought it would be no problem. There were a few good radish roots, which was all I needed to brag to my colleague down South about. Those that bolted would sort of be palatable as radish greens. Bitterness does not bother me much.
Now, because so few of the radishes were pulled for their roots, too many are growing as greens, and they evolved from merely bolting to blooming. The flavor evolved from normal bitter to almost icky bitter. I will not be sharing these with anyone. I can not leave them in the garden to get shabby either. Besides, I want the space for something else. I suppose I will freeze some.
After all the effort, I got only a few small radishes, some decent greens, and mostly bitter greens. Perhaps I will try radishes again in autumn. This radish trial was a ‘FAIL’.
Because we rarely get spring here in Connecticut, this is my usual experience with radishes too. They probably would have worked this year, but I didn’t even bother. After years of this, why?
Karla
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, I would have guessed that they would be easier there. I sometimes wonder where radishes come from. They do well in certain coastal regions here, but such ideal regions are very limited.
LikeLike
Down in this South, we don’t even try to grow them in the summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I would not grow them in the summer either. They were put out at the end of their recommended season in spring. Now they are just ignored until they get removed on Saturday or so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh darn… sorry your time was wasted. Now what are you going to plant? Up here, we’ve had some problems with fungus. It rains, rains, rains, and then snap! We have a few 85-90 degree days. Then cold and rain again. Rinse and repeat. Ugh… the weather patterns are changing for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was not totally wasted. I got a bit of greens out of the deal. It was not a very big patch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cut flowers. Small bouquets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should have expected someone to recommend that. The flowers are rather pretty. I do happen to like the mustard because it was such a common bloom here decades ago. I will just toss these out into the forest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Practice makes perfect. 🙂 Don’t forget to check your email.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the reminder (not about the radishes). I just got to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no. I hope you have better luck next time 🌿
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew it was risky when I put the seed out there. It is not a big loss.
LikeLike