Radishes - how do you tell when they're ready to pick?

[SewingDiva]

I have a batch of Black Nero Tondo radishes that are at the end of their growing cycle (50 days) and the tops are lush and thick; so thick acutally that I can't even see the soil (they were spaced correctly too.) I picked one and the root was just beginnng to enlarge, is there any way to tell from the top growth they are ready to pick? Or does the radish bulge out of the ground?

I really want to taste them


~Phyllis

 

[Tutter]

My husband and I go about that differently.

I pick one , and if it's not ready, just nibble it as a taste of things to come.

He just gently touches the soil and uses a finger to test how big around they are.

No, mine don't have their shoulders above the ground...well, the daikons do.

If I were you, I'd nibble my way through it!

Are you succession planting them? That's a good way to have a constant supply of certain vegetables.

What a cool variety! Have fun, and let us know how they are!

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

Most of the *Spanish* variety of radishes are a good keeper and are pretty slow to bolt so you can have some pull on when to pick them.

I too use the gentle finger method as described and by Tutter.

Since they are a round type radish, you should be able to see the shoulders poking out of the tops. (Of course you have to move around the great lush tops you have).