Radishes

Sandra gave me a few radish seeds from a seed packet she picked up at Anderson's the weekend before last.  I pushed some seeds in with the carrots. They are supposed to be ready in only 30 days-- WHAT? 30 days, ridiculous. I will take a picture once a week (first picture is posted here it was taken one week after planting) to report on their progress.  Supposedly, the radishes and carrots live nicely together. When the radishes are done, we take them out and the carrot just moves into the radishes old home.  I will believe it when I see it.  

Radish History

Radishes were cultivated in Hellenistic and Roman society.  Their genus, Raphanus, "quickly appearing",  describes their quick germination period.  (See above-- Radishes supposed to be all grown up in one month!).  The radish is related to the turnip and mustard.  Since radishes grow so fast, you want to plant new seeds every week, in order to get a continuous crop.  Radishes are in season April-June and October to January (they are not into full hot sun). I hope that San Diego's June-Gloom, paired with the placement on the east facing porch will ensure that the radishes don't die of heat.  Since I have the radishes in a pretty shallow box, I am not expecting any massive plants.

Night of the Radishes

On a festive note, some folks in Mexico (Oaxaca to be precise) celebrate the Night of the Radishes (Noche de Rabanos) on December 23.   At the festival, radishes are the main event.  People enter their carved radishes in contests.  Some are themed radish carvings of the Nativity, saints, and buildings. Radishes were brought to Mexico in the 16th century and historians believed that monks in Oaxaca advised the local radish growers to carve their radishes to entice buyers.   Thus began the radish carving and the rest is history.  This year Oaxaca will celebrate its 112th festival of the radish.  If you are in town, check it out.  Or perhaps, we should have a honorary Noche de Rabanos at my house this year and all try to carve those little guys.  I should point out, that with coaxing radishes can grow pretty large.  Sadly, these radishes are merely ornamental.  So I am sure any radish carving that we do will be quite difficult since I am not sure how to get a hold of the giant radishes!

Nutrition Facts

These gems are pretty high in the vitamin count.  Here is a sample of just a few of their vitamin goodies:  folic acid, potassium, B6, magnesium, calcium, and more;)

In addition to the edible root, the leaves of this plant are also edible and can be tossed in a salad.  Has anyone ever nibbled radish leaf?  What does it taste like?