How to thin out radishes
Content:
Radish is one of the very first vegetable crops, which are the first to delight gardeners with their fresh fruits. This plant is not too whimsical, but there are still some features of growing radish that you need to know about. In this article, we will talk about the proper care of radishes, in particular about thinning radishes in the open field and feeding plants.
Thinning radishes: how to thin out radishes correctly
Why do dense shoots of carrots and radishes need to be thinned out? How to thin out radishes?
As a rule, when planting radishes in the beds, we sow seeds at very short intervals, plant them very densely. This is necessary so that it is not so difficult for plants to hatch through the ground. And also this method has a good effect on the future harvest, since poorly sprouted seeds can interfere with this.
The main actions for caring for radishes are, as a rule, in regular watering, thinning seedlings, loosening the soil and feeding with the necessary fertilizers.
Do I need to thin out radishes? The first thinning of the radish.
When five days have passed since the first shoots of radish appear, you need to thin out your plants for the first time. The reason for this is the negative effect of dense planting on the supply of the required amount of light and heat. And as a consequence of the presence of the shadow - too active "pulling" up and early "shooting".
Can radishes be planted after thinning?
The optimal distance between plants is two to three centimeters. Seedlings that have expanded cotyledonous leaves are usually transplanted. And those seedlings that have just small leaves are not needed, they can be destroyed.
In addition to the above reasons, thinning promotes horizontal growth of the radish, which in turn prevents the plant from releasing arrows too early. Also, during the first thinning, you can weed the area, as the weeds that appear will not contribute to the normal growth of your radish.
When to thin out radishes outdoors
There are no strict rules for carrying out the second thinning, as a rule, this procedure is done after about 30 days. At the same time, the necessary distance must be observed for the normal growth and development of the radish. At the same time, leave five to six centimeters between the plants. The radish that has been plucked can be eaten.
Water the area before thinning your plants. It will be optimal to do this in the evening. To avoid the risk of accidentally grazing a neighbor's seedling, thinning should be done as follows: one hand rests on the ground, holding it, and the other removes the seedling from the ground. After these steps, you need to lightly press down the soil from above and spill the plants that you decided to leave with not cold water. In order for the soil in the garden to receive the required amount of oxygen, the soil can be loosened between the rows.
There is a small "life hack" on how to avoid thinning in the future altogether: planting material just needs to be sown mixed with semolina, or use sand.
How to water a radish
Without the right amount of moisture, your radish runs the risk of being dry, bitter and hollow in texture. But too much watering will also harm your plants, because in this case the fruit will simply begin to rot. In this regard, if you want to get a bountiful harvest of radish with high taste, then carefully control your watering regime.After the soil is wet, it will not be superfluous to loosen the soil.
How often to water radishes outdoors?
In order to avoid releasing the arrows, it is better to water not very abundantly a couple of times a week. This helps to keep the soil temperature under control. Remember to water your garden beds as the ground gets dry.
If the weather is very hot and dry, then you need to give the plants the required amount of water daily.
Watering radishes in the open field.
The very first time watering is done when you have just sown your radish seeds. Pay attention to how deep you shed your beds. This is pretty important. At the very beginning, you do not need to water deeply, eight centimeters will be enough. And when the fruits have already appeared in the ground, you need to deepen the watering to fifteen centimeters.
You can water it with plain clean water or with a solution of ash or herbal infusion. It is possible, in combination with watering, to carry out prophylaxis against harmful insects and diseases at the same time. The radish has a fairly well-developed root system. Certain varieties can grow as deep as thirty centimeters! It is, of course, better to remember this circumstance. To water your plantings in this way, so that the incoming moisture sufficiently saturates the root system. If watering is carried out incorrectly, and the ground is dry, then premature shooting or dry bitter roots may appear.
Before harvesting, you need to water your radish one last time. You need to do this 3 - 5 hours before. If you are not lazy and carry out this procedure, then your radish will be juicy, tasty and can be successfully stored for some time.
How to feed radishes after germination
Radish is a crop that is quite demanding on the nutrients contained in the soil. Therefore, it is necessary to supply your beds with all the necessary substances. But remember that radishes are capable of picking up nitrate chemicals. Therefore, be careful when applying fertilizers, do not use preparations based on chemicals. The main feeding of radish is carried out in the fall. When the soil is dug up, organic fertilizers are applied.
How to feed the radish to increase the root crop. Top dressing of radishes in the spring.
In the spring, immediately before planting in the ground, dressings with a complex composition of minerals are usually applied. This will be enough if the soil is fertile. If the land is poor in the necessary substances, then fertilizers must be applied more often, it is convenient to do this while watering the radish. You can feed your radish with a solution of bird droppings, superphosphate, potassium chloride, manure solution. But do not forget that you do not need to overdo it with useful dressings either, because the plant will begin to give arrows, and not form the long-awaited root crops.
The plantings can be mulched with compost. In this case, when you water your plants, the necessary nutrients will slowly enter the ground and feed the radish root system.
In addition to all of the above, from above, your soil can be flavored with peat and humus. But make sure that there are not too many of them (no more than one centimeter). This measure will allow moisture to evaporate at times slower.
If you prefer greenhouse radish cultivation, remember to ventilate your plants every time you water them. This will help to avoid the "black leg", a very harmful disease of the root system.
Radish loves nitrogen, so substances based on it can be applied along with irrigation, about twenty to thirty grams per square meter. You cannot apply fresh manure, such fertilization will make your radishes bloom, and not develop fruits. It is necessary to loosen the soil between the rows and weed from weeds on a regular basis.
Thinning is mandatory for radish! If this is not done, then instead of a plentifully beautiful harvest, you will get small root crops. And this will be due to the fact that the plants were forced to fight against each other for nutrients, moisture and lighting. So basically, this procedure is done a couple of times: when friendly shoots appear and thirty days after sowing.