Radish is one of those vegetables that can be planted before winter. This method is popular among gardeners and has a number of undeniable advantages. I will reveal a few secrets of how to do it right to enjoy this tender, healthy vegetable in early spring.
Benefits of planting radishes in winter
A radish planted in winter yields a harvest 3-4 weeks earlier than a spring radish. This is one of the main advantages of the method.
For myself, I noted other advantages:
- Sowing is carried out in already prepared soil - saturated with water.
- Natural hardening of the seeds occurs. Plants are less sick and are highly resistant to weather fluctuations and many diseases.
- In the spring, the soil is saturated with a sufficient amount of melt water. Seedlings appear early, develop rapidly.
But there are also some downsides:
- The number of seeds should be 1/3 more than for spring sowing. Because some of them will freeze out.
- Not all varieties will work.
- It is necessary to set the sowing time correctly so that there are no too early shoots. They will freeze out at negative temperatures.
For winter sowing, I recommend choosing varieties:
- White Nights;
- Torero;
- Zlata;
- Blue frost;
- Icicle.
Planting dates for radishes before winter
I plant radish in winter from October to December. The timing directly depends on the weather - I sow radishes in slightly frozen soil. This is an important condition, so the seeds will have time to take root, but will not sprout.
Landing preparation
The success of the event depends on adherence to certain rules. I stick with the following.
First of all, I choose and prepare the site. I choose a place for landing with good lighting, sunny, protected from strong winds. It is important that there is no stagnation of moisture, especially during the period of snow melting, otherwise the seeds will rot.
Radish prefers fertile soil with a neutral acidity index. If the soil is too dense, I recommend adding peat or coarse sand. This is especially true for clayey areas - the soil becomes compacted during the winter, and the seeds will germinate for a long time.
The taste of the root crop depends on the amount of light and moisture. If the crop grows in the shade or lacks water, the fruit will be bitter.
I advise you to prepare the site before planting. I start the event in 14 days:
- Dig up the place for landing on the bayonet of the shovel.
- Carefully select weeds and other plant debris.
- Loosen the soil with a rake.
I strengthen the beds so that they are not washed out in the spring. To do this, I install boards or slate on the sides.
Seeds are sown in furrows 8 cm deep, keeping a distance of 20 cm between them.
I recommend applying a small amount of fertilizer per 1 m2 for planting:
- Organic: humus or compost 1 kg each.
- Mineral: wood ash - 1 glass; superphosphate - 100 g.
Then I sow the radish, cover it with a layer of earth on top. I put a bucket of earth in a warm room beforehand.
I prepare the seeds in advance:
- Etched in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes.
- I dry it.
Some gardeners do not mulch the planting, but I insulate it as follows:
- I make a 5 cm layer of mulch from peat or humus.
- I cover it from above with spruce branches or fallen leaves - at least 20 cm.
In the spring, as soon as the snow began to melt, I take off the shelter. Thus, the planting is saturated with melt water, warms up under the sun and gives early shoots.
I have been planting radishes before winter for several years now and have noticed that success depends on the right place, planting timing and adherence to the sowing rules. In spring, the crop ripens 4 weeks earlier.
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