[Marcus10]

Another novice question I am afraid.

I tried growing raddishes last year in a raised trough full of an organic compost. I grew the french varietey and they took a fair amount of time to grow. I've tried again this year in a normal soil bed and in the raised, compost (non peat) filled, bed. The ones in the soil were much more succesful. Larger, less woody and larger leaves to start with.

The only explanation which i can think of is that perhaps the soil held the moisture better than the peat free compost...although I did water the compost regularly? I am now thinking of mixing some peat and john innes loam based compost into the trough.

Has anyone got any other likely explanations. I have read that raddsishes are easier to gow and dont need feeding or a rich soil etc

[Aidy]

I don't grow mine in tubs, troughs or owt else other than the ground and I think you hit the nail on the head, moisture.

I generally just chuck mine all over the place as a cash crop, currently I have a row between the parsnips and I sowed another row where me french beans are going while the bed is dormant. I eat tons of them and buy the seed by weight rather by number but they are always in the ground.

[noshed]

Aidy is right - they should grow really quickly which will stop them being woody. I fling them in with my carrots so I know where the carrots are. Then keep thinning the radishes and very quickly you have too many and have to gve them away to people.

[Marcus10]

Thanks, it seems that is the best method. None of this organic coir peat free compost which dries out too quickly.

[Totty]

I garden 95 % organically and would say that im environmentally friendly in the garden. Regardless of what trials i read about, i still will not use compost that is peat free. It just does not grow good plants in general.

Totty

[AmandaLouise]

My plot neighbour says the same, he refuses to buy it.

may I ask how you eat loads of them, the only use I have is for salads really.  But I do like the flavour.

Amanda

[solway cropper]

I grow lots of them in containers but use a rich, home-made compost. I also liquid feed them once they start to swell. The trick is to grow them quickly and keep them well watered.

[mdjlucan]

there love mushroom compost min are so big

[chrisnchris]

Sowed mine directly into shallow drill, soil is terrible, very sandy. I added a little growmore, we have already had a dozen or so, good flavour & fantastic colour.....sowed some more last weekend.