Radish aren't growing?

[LP]

Dh and I are new to gardening. Started our first garden this spring. Dh's favorite, gotta have every meal is radishes, so we planted a ton. And none of them are growing!

From what I've read, they should be ready to eat in approx. 25 days. Supposed to be fast and easy. And that you shouldn't let them stay in the ground too long or they'll get bitter tasting. So at 25 days or a few days after, we dig out a few and there is nothing there but root.

Can anyone tell me what we're doing wrong? I'm sure you'll laugh at us being so new, but I had ordered some vegetable starting mix for seedlings from Gardeners.com and tried some in that. Then dh planted some in some mixture he made up in a big pot. Then we have a TON in our raised beds. The other day I checked a few, and still, just root.

Help! please.

TIA, lp

[goatlady]

radishes don't do very well in RICH good soil. Too many nutrients makes LOTS of leaves but no radish! Plus, most folks plant the seed way too deep when they first start out and the poor seed never has a chance. you should NEVER have to "dig" a radish - when they are print thay are aleady sticking out of the ground a good bit anyway. Also you don't show WHERE you live/garden whch may make a difference also.

[LP]

Thank you so much, Goatlady. I'm in central AR.

Yea, I was wondering if I planted them too deep, because I've seen pictures with the radish partially above ground. Sure didn't know about the soil being too rich. Guess we'll just dig up some dirt and try again.

Thanks again. Just knowing that about the soil helps alot.

LP

[goatlady]

I was just going by thye info in your original post. I had "assumed" your DH used some sort of compost in his mix and I also "assumed" you have a lot of compsot in your raised beds. The seed STARTING mixes most usually do NOT make a good growing medium as seeds do NOT need nutrients to sprout, just warmth and water so the starting mixes are made to hold water and warmth. AFter they sprout they need to be transplanted to a GROWING mix to get food to develop (but not radishes - they do not transplant at all, they just die if disturbed).

[Animal Lover]

Dear Goat Lady, now I know why ours never grew. Thank you so much. My hubby loves them too and I pay 12 cents for each radish. I know, I know, but he squacks at the price of them. But, in two days....they are gone. :-) AL

[Sugaree]

LP we got the same deal- just root, no radish.

Goatlady thanks so much for the info. Maybe it's not too late to try another go.

[paladin1991]

Mostly roots and plenty of greens in my raised beds.

[goatlady]

As long as the soil is still coolish, you can plant radishes. When the soil heats up and STAYS warm they get real tough and woody. Save the rest of the seed for September plantings then.

[packyderms_wife]

I need to thin mine tomorrow is there anything one can do with the greens??? I had my first radish today it was the size of a marble and way tasty!!! I pulled it to make room for the ones next too it - well that's my story and I'm sticking with it! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

Kimberly

[LP]

Thanks again, goatlady, for the info. We'll try again this Sept.

[paladin1991]

Packy, radish greens can go in salads, sandwiches and be cooked up as 'greens' along with turnip and even beet greens.

[Ms. American]

You can also put them into your compost pile, or let some go to seed for a new crop if they aren't hybrids. If you have a shady spot, they will sometimes do well there when it gets hot out. That's how I extend my lettuce crops. Don't let them dry out. Radish is a heavy water user.

Failure to bulb can be an indicator that your soil lacks potash...the nutrient that makes root crops grow well. A few wood ashes in the fall along with your manure and amendments can make the world of difference with root crops. Ps...when it comes to root crops, always amend in the fall if you are using manure.

[momof23goats]

when planting radishes, you just need to sprinkle them on the ground, and then put just a tiny bitt of dirt over them. peo[le always plant to deep then they don't grow.