To grow crisp and sweet radishes in the middle of the July heat is not an easy task. But if you know the subtleties, even the scorching sun is not a hindrance. Everyone solves the variety, care and a little trick.
Variety: Half of success
When the heat does not fall for weeks, the usual varieties of radishes instantly go to the arrow. In order not to be disappointed, plant such as “heat” or “French breakfast.” These varieties react less to long daylight hours and stably give dense root crops.
Share: Salvation from overheating
Radis does not tolerate soil overheating. A pair of extra degrees is enough and the plant will begin to spend strength on flowering, and not on the development of the root crop. To avoid this, shade the beds with agricultural fiber or a special net. They reduce the temperature of the Earth by 3-5 degrees, creating comfortable conditions even at noon.
Moisture without hypothermia
Dry soil is the main enemy. The root crops become tough, fibrous and lose their taste. It is necessary to water regularly with warm water in the morning or in the evening. Cold is able to cause shock in plants and provokes the development of a bitter taste.
After each watering, loosen the soil. This not only destroys the crust, but also saturates the soil with oxygen. Additionally, mulch helps. 1 cm of compost is enough to reduce moisture evaporation by almost a third.
Power and distance
Excess nitrogen accelerates the growth of tops, not root crops. If the beds were “refuel” in the fall, top dressing is not needed. It is much more important to observe the distance. Plant the radishes with a step of 5-6 cm. In thickened landings, it does not form a normal root crop, rolling into a trifle.
Protection and crop rotation
To avoid the invasion of a cruciferous flea and fungus, adhere to crop rotation. Do not plant radishes after cabbage or other cruciferous. It is better to plant it after legumes, potatoes or cucumbers.
Do not tighten with the cathedral
Early varieties ripen in 3-4 weeks. Processing leads to sagging and voids inside. Remove on time, cut the tops immediately, as it “sucks” the juice. It’s not worth washing. It is enough to dry and put in the refrigerator. Root crops are best preserved at a temperature of 2-4 degrees.
To enhance the taste, let the radish “rest” 2 hours after the collection. It will become juicier and softer. In the heat, you can cover the plantings with black agricultural light for half a day 2-3 days before the collection.
Previously reported About how to protect cabbage from pests, so that the leaves do not turn into a sieve.
