Plant ID card
| Botanical Name | Raphanus sativus var. niger. |
| Common Name | Winter radish, Spanish radish, horseradish from Parisians. |
| Family | Brassicas. |
| Origin | Southwest Asia. |
| Size | 40 cm high for the foliage, 20 to 30 cm long for the root. |
| Foliage | The tops are large, indented, quite hairy and arranged in a rosette. |
| Flowering | This biennial plant flowers in the second year of cultivation. It produces white and purple flowers with 4 petals, gathered in clusters. |
| Exhibition | Sun. |
| Ground | Rich, fresh, deep, light. |
| Rusticity | -3°C. |
Although there is a round-root variety, the black radish usually offers an elongated root, up to 20 to 30 cm long and 7 cm in diameter. Its black, rough skin conceals a crisp white flesh that is delicious in cooking and rich in benefits.
Where to plant black radishes?
Black radish needs a sunny location. On the other hand, it adapts to most soils, although it prefers deep, rich, cool and fairly light soils. Thanks to its fast growth, black radish fits easily between lettuce, peas or leeks. On the other hand, avoid growing it in the company of other Brassicas.
How and when to sow black radishes?
Sow black radishes from June to August, until September in mild climates:
- Work and refine the soil by removing pebbles and weeds;
- Draw furrows 2 to 3 cm deep, spaced 20 cm apart;
- Sow light, placing 1 seed every 5 cm;
- Cover the seeds with a light layer of fine soil;
- Tamp down lightly;
- Water in a light rain.
Keep the soil moist until emergence. When seedlings have several true leaves, thin out so that one plant is maintained every 10 to 15 cm.
Astuteness: Sow in several batches to get staggered harvests.
Sow black radishes from June to August, until September in mild climates. Copyright (c) 2017 Jaaske M/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
How do you care for black radishes?
Easy to grow, black radish requires little maintenance to offer its delicious roots to the vegetable garden. However, there are a few simple things you can do to improve your chances of getting a bountiful harvest:
- The fall before planting, amend the soil with compost or manure;
- Keep the soil cool with regular watering. If it lacks water, black radish can become very pungent;
- You can also mulch the soil to conserve moisture, and protect the roots from the first frosts;
- Weed regularly;
- Keep an eye out for slugs, snails and flea beetles, which are fond of the leaves of the black radish.
When to harvest black radish?
Black radish grows quickly, and the harvest usually starts 3 months after sowing, starting in September, and before heavy frosts.
To enjoy black radishes all winter long, it is possible to store them in silos or in sand. Remove leaves and remove soil before storage. In mild climates, you can also leave them in the ground, cutting off the foliage and covering them with a winter veil. Once in the fridge, they will keep for 5 days.
Black radish grows fast, and harvest usually starts 3 months after sowing, starting in September, Copyright (c) 2020 Nadia Nice/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
What are the benefits of black radish?
Black radish is rich in isothiocyanates, glucosinolates, vitamin C, and potassium. It relieves digestive disorders and is used for liver conditions. It could also have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
Black radish is eaten raw, peeled and then sliced or grated. But it is also possible to cook it, and eat it like a turnip. The tops can be used in soups, pan-fried or made into pesto.