How to grow rat's tail radishes

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How to grow rat's tail radishes

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Tuesday, 23 April 2019 at 7:00 am

Find out how to grow this unusual crop, in our How-to guide.

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Unlike the more familiar radish, which is grown for its roots, the rat's tail radish is harvested for its crunchy seed pods. The pods resemble chillies, but taste like a young rooted radish. Rat's tail radishes are quick to mature – you can expect to harvest your crop within six weeks.

You Will Need

Radish seeds
Rake
Plank of wood or long rope

Total time: 15 minutes

Step 1

How to grow rat's tail radishes - making a sowing channel

Rake an area level to remove stones and weeds. Using a plank of wood make sowing channels 1cm deep.

Step 2

How to grow rat's tail radishes - sowing the seed

Sow radish seeds 2-4cm apart, cover with a thin layer of soil. Sow from March to August for regular pickings.

Step 3

How to grow rat's tail radishes - watering the seed

Water well to help germination – lots of moisture is needed by this fast-growing crop, which should appear in 2-3 days.

Step 4

How to grow rat's tail radishes - thinning out seedlings

Thin out emerging seedlings to leave plants about 2-4cm apart. Then water to settle soil around remaining roots.

Step 5

How to grow rat's tail radishes - radish flowers

Allow flower stems to form. The small, pretty blooms attract aphid-eating hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Step 6

How to grow rat's tail radishes - radish seed pod

The flowers develop into seed pods. Pick the pods while small and tender. After you've harvested most of the pods, leave a few to mature and dry out, and then collect and store seeds for next year’s crop.

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