Radish Red Planet
* Common name: Radish Red Planet
A harvest of Red Planet radishes.
(Credit: Renee’s Garden Seeds)
* Botanical name: Raphanus sativus Red Planet
* What it is: This is a variety of radish that’s a reliable, solid, all-around performer, producing little red orbs with white inner flesh. Sold by California-based Renee’s Garden Seeds, Red Planet has a mild flavor and crunchy texture that’s slow to go hot and woody as many radish varieties do.
* Size: Mature Red Planet radishes are slightly bigger than a marble. Foliage grows two to three inches tall.
* Where to use: Vegetable gardens, ideally in full sun. Also can be grown in containers.
* Care: Plant seed directly in garden as soon as soil thaws, usually starting in the latter half of March. Sow every two weeks through April. Radishes don’t do well in the heat, so wait until late summer to begin direct-seeding again for a fall harvest.
Work compost into soil at planting. Keep soil consistently damp. Supplemental fertilizer usually not needed. Red Planet is ready to pick about 28 days after seeding.
* Great partner: Because radishes are so quick and early, a crop can be in and out by mid-May, when it’s time to plant warm-weather crops, such as peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and beans.