How to Plant Radish Seeds? Detailed Guide to Sowing Methods and Planting Steps
Radish is one of the world's ancient cultivated crops, with both edible and medicinal uses, and is known as the “little ginseng.” It is planted in our country, so how do you plant its seeds? Let's find out together below.
How to Plant Radish Seeds?
1. Land Preparation and Fertilization
The choice of radish planting site should be determined according to the local variety. Generally, large radish varieties should be planted in plots with deep soil, and the plowing depth should be more than 33 cm; medium and small varieties should be planted in shallow soil with a plowing depth of about 25 cm; small varieties should have a plowing depth of about 15 cm. Then the plot should be leveled into flat beds, and decomposed pig manure, cow manure and other fertilizers should be applied before land preparation.
2. Timing
The sowing period for radish depends on variety characteristics and market demand. The suitable sowing period for autumn and winter radish is from late July to early August, while spring radish can be sown from late February to early April. The sowing rate varies with planting density.
3.. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Large varieties are sown in hills, medium varieties in rows, and small varieties by broadcasting. After sowing, cover the seeds with decomposed residue fertilizer thoroughly mixed with garden soil at a 1:1 ratio. If the soil is dry, irrigate in time. From 4-5 days after sowing, do a good job of checking seedlings and replanting.
4.. Field Management
For radish planting, the first thinning is generally carried out when the first true leaf unfolds. During the germination stage of radish, the soil moisture content should be above 90%; during the seedling stage, the suitable soil moisture content is 60%; the leaf growth stage requires a lot of water; during the root growth stage, maintain soil moisture at 70-80%; in the late root growth stage, watering should still be done appropriately to prevent hollowing. The principle of fertilizing radish is to mainly use base fertilizer, and generally topdressing is done 2-3 times after thinning.
In addition, during the radish planting process, special attention should also be paid to work such as cultivating and weeding, and pest and disease control.