How to grow rat's tail radishes

Step 1

Rake an area level to remove stones and weeds. Using a plank of wood make sowing channels 1cm deep.

Step 2

Sow radish seeds 2-4cm apart, cover with a thin layer of soil. Sow from March to August for regular pickings.

Step 3

Water well to help germination – lots of moisture is needed by this fast-growing crop, which should appear in 2-3 days.

Step 4

Thin out emerging seedlings to leave plants about 2-4cm apart. Then water to settle soil around remaining roots.

Step 5

Allow flower stems to form. The small, pretty blooms attract aphid-eating hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Step 6

The flowers develop into seed pods. Pick the pods while small and tender. After you've harvested most of the pods, leave a few to mature and dry out, and then collect and store seeds for next year’s crop.