We remove black radish for storage on time
Black radish is not a frequent visitor to garden beds due to its bitter taste, but it is indispensable in the treatment of upper respiratory tract diseases. In order for the vegetable to retain all its useful properties, it is important to dig it up in time and store it correctly.
The harvesting time for black radish directly depends on its variety and, accordingly, the sowing time. Radish of early summer varieties are grown for consumption, and autumn mid-season and winter late varieties are better suited for storage.
Harvesting early varieties of black radish
Summer radish is sown for seedlings in greenhouses at the end of April. It grows rather quickly, and you can harvest it at the end of May. At the same time, not all vegetables are dug out at once, but gradually, as they ripen. On root vegetables, the leaves and roots are carefully cut.
Early varieties of radish are not suitable for long-term storage; they are grown exclusively for consumption. At room temperature, the radish can keep fresh for only a week. The shelf life can be extended to a maximum of three weeks by putting the radish in the refrigerator (it is previously wrapped in plastic wrap or put in a plastic bag with holes).
When to harvest mid-season radish?
Black radish of autumn varieties is planted in early summer in order to start harvesting in August. On average, the ripening period lasts 80 days. The most popular mid-season varieties include the Queen of Spades, Chernushka, Nochka, Healer.
Unlike early varieties, mid-season radish is dug out at a time. Root crops are cleaned of excess soil, the tops and small roots are cut off, and slightly dried in the shade. Mid-season varieties are stored for an average of 1.5 months in the cellar.
In order to increase the shelf life, it is advisable to lay the radish in layers in a box or container, sprinkling each layer with sand.
Harvesting late varieties of radish
Winter varieties black radish such as Chernavka and Murzilka are also sown in early summer, but they will need about 100 days to ripen. Therefore, they begin to harvest the radish not earlier than the end of September. The most important thing here is to find a middle ground.
Digging up a winter radish ahead of time (before it is fully ripe) will shorten its shelf life. Digging up too late will lead to hollow fruit.
Despite the fact that winter radish varieties are grown until late autumn, it is important to prevent frost damage to root crops. Such radish will lose its taste and useful qualities and become unsuitable for storage.
The collected roots are dried, the leaves are removed and the long root is cut off. Before lowering the black radish into the basement for storage, some gardeners bury it in a hole for a couple of days so that it collects the required amount of moisture and lies better.