When to Plant Autumn Radishes? Variety Selection and High-Yield Growing Methods

Right now is the best season for planting autumn radishes, and to grow them well you need to choose good varieties and master certain management techniques. So which varieties are good for autumn radishes? When to plant them? How to grow them for high yield?

1. Which varieties are good for autumn radishes?

For example, varieties whose fleshy roots penetrate shallowly into the soil are less prone to deformed roots; varieties with fleshy roots that contain less water and varieties with dense flesh are less prone to root splitting; white-skinned varieties or first-generation hybrids with faster growth rates have milder pungency and bitterness than green-skinned varieties, making them suitable for summer and autumn cultivation.

At the same time, choose seeds that are pure in variety, large and plump, with purity and cleanliness reaching above 95%. Such as Jiutian 139, Degao Golf, etc.

2. When to plant autumn radishes?

Under normal circumstances, autumn radishes are sown in mid-to-late July. Harvested in mid-September, if the climate is suitable, the yield is high and the quality is good.

Autumn radishes should be sown from the end of July to mid-August. Since the survival rate of transplanting is very poor, direct seeding by dibbling is generally used. Sow 3-5 seeds per hole, with a row spacing of 50-60 cm and a plant spacing of 20-25 cm. After dibbling, lightly rake fine soil to cover 1 cm, and press firm with the foot. When the seedlings show 2 true leaves, thin them, leaving 2-3 plants per hole; when the seedlings have 4-5 true leaves, final thinning is done.

3. How to grow autumn radishes?

1. Choosing soil

The soil should be finely tilled, deep-plowed 18-20 cm, and raked fine after plowing. Deep plowing of the soil is one of the key measures for high radish yields. Apply 2000-3000 kg of decomposed high-quality farmyard manure and 30 kg of NPK compound fertilizer per 667 sq m.

2. Reasonable watering

Radishes have different water requirements at different growth stages. During the germination stage, sufficient water is required to promote rapid germination and uniform emergence.

During the seedling stage, follow the principle of “water little but often.” During the period before the seedling root-breaking stage, water less and practice seedling hardening to inhibit lateral root growth and encourage the taproot to extend deep into the soil. During the fleshy root expansion stage, increase irrigation to maintain balanced and sufficient soil moisture.

3. Pest and disease control

The main pests of radishes include: aphids, cabbage caterpillars, striped flea beetles, etc. Diseases include black rot, viral disease, soft rot, black spot, etc., which can be controlled with commonly used pesticides.

4. Points for attention

4.1 Premature bolting

In radishes grown in spring and summer in the north or in summer and autumn in high-altitude cold regions, premature bolting occurs when seeds encounter low temperatures after germination or when old seeds are used, when sowing is too early and then encounters high temperature and drought, as well as when varieties are improperly chosen and management is extensive.

Therefore, in production, it is advisable to choose varieties with strong winter hardiness and sow with new seeds; sow at the proper time and strengthen water and fertilizer management; also pay attention to seed selection, improve seed quality, and prevent variety mixing.

4.2 Pithiness (hollow heart)

The main cause of pithiness is that the fleshy roots of some varieties are too soft and expand too quickly. In addition, improper water and fertilizer management in the later stage, high temperature and drought, too much nitrogen and too little potassium, sowing too early, harvesting too late, etc., also easily lead to pithiness.

4.3 Root splitting

The main cause of root splitting is uneven water supply during the early stage of fleshy root expansion. To avoid root splitting, water evenly during the fleshy root expansion stage and apply an appropriate amount of boron fertilizer, as boron can enhance toughness.

4.4 Pungency and bitterness

Pungency is often related to drought and heat, lack of fertilizer, pest and disease damage, and incomplete expansion of the fleshy root. Bitterness is caused by too much nitrogen and insufficient phosphorus and potassium. Management should be strengthened and scientific formula fertilization advocated.

4.5 Forking

Forking is the result of lateral roots changing from absorbing roots into storage roots. Generally, it occurs when fertilizer is not fully decomposed, the soil plow layer is shallow, and land preparation quality is poor (there are tiles and bricks in the soil), as well as when the main root is injured during replanting, affecting main root growth and causing deformity.