Harvesting of radish occurs in summer or autumn, depending on the timing of planting and ripening of varieties. After being removed from the ground, care must be taken to store the fruits so that they retain their beneficial properties longer. You will learn about this, as well as about the signs of ripeness of vegetables and the correct sorting of the crop while reading this article.
Optimal timing of harvesting radish for storage
Particular attention is paid to the planting and maturation of the root crop. Below are the features of each period.
Summer harvest
Usually, fast-ripening varieties are used, which are planted in mid-spring. It takes them about 30-40 days for the first fruits to form, and by the end of May they can start harvesting. In the greenhouse, the radish ripens 1-2 weeks earlier.
Harvesting autumn and winter varieties
In the summer, the root crops ripen worse due to the increase in daylight hours, therefore, planting is carried out not earlier than mid-July, so that the harvest has time to form by autumn. Usually, mid-season radish species are chosen, the harvest of which takes place closer to the middle or end of September.
"Winter" varieties are called varieties that can be stored throughout the entire cold season. Late varieties are preferred. Harvesting should be completed before the first frost.
When to dig radish in different regions?
Depending on climatic conditions, the following dates for harvesting a late harvest are distinguished:
- Moscow region (middle lane). If the weather is good, you can grow the root crop until November.
- Ural. The deadline is early October.
- Siberia. Because of the cold weather, it is better to start harvesting in September; under favorable conditions, it is possible to wait until mid-autumn.
Signs of ripening root crops
What to look for:
- Fruit. A fully formed radish has a dense skin. Root crops may vary in size depending on the variety, but usually these are fairly large specimens.
- Tops. Slightly dry, yellowish.
To make sure the harvest is ripe, you need to dig out 2-3 vegetables and taste them.
How to remove radish correctly?
It is necessary to extract fruits from the ground only in dry and sunny weather. In the evening before harvesting, it is better to water it abundantly so that the soil softens a little.
The instruction is as follows:
- take a pitchfork or a shovel;
- dig in the soil around the vegetable;
- gently pull on the tops, being careful not to damage;
- remove the stuck earth;
- leave about 2 cm of leaves and roots, cut off the rest;
- spread the fruit out under a canopy to allow it to dry.
Sorting
For long-term storage, only root crops that have no visible defects are suitable:
- The size. Leave only medium-sized fruits as they have reached their optimum ripening time.
- Skin. There should be no scratches, cracks, dents on it.
- Pulp. Remove wormy and rotten vegetables.
You can remove spoiled areas of the fruit and use it for immediate consumption or short-term storage in the refrigerator. But before that, soak the pieces of fruit in cold water so that they do not lose their useful qualities. In this form, the radish can lie for 2 days.
Storage conditions
There are several guidelines to help keep your radish fresh and healthy for longer.
What should be provided:
- Mode. The air temperature should not fall below 0 if the radish is in the room. The humidity level is 85%.
- Neighborhood. Do not leave the harvest with your garden fruit as it will spoil their taste. Better to lay vegetables next to carrots or potatoes.
- Regular checks. The fruit should be inspected every 2-3 weeks. If damage appears on them, you need to use the damaged copies as soon as possible.
Storage methods
There are 3 options for harvesting radish. The benefits of each are disclosed below.
Cellar and basement
Before you put vegetables here, you need to do some preparatory work:
- Close up the holes. This applies to the ventilation system, windows and cracks. Rodents can enter the room through them.
- Disinfection. It is required when fungi and other harmful microorganisms are detected.
- Airing. You should also take care of the dryness of the room.
- Checking. Make sure the temperature and humidity levels are correct. In case of excessive dryness, buckets of water are placed in the corners.
Used for storage:
- Wooden boxes. A layer of dry sand is lined at the bottom, with which the gaps between the vegetables are also covered.
- Polyethylene. Small holes are made in the bags for ventilation and wet sand is poured into them.
Balcony
A great option for those who do not have the opportunity to put vegetables in the basement.
Terms:
- Design. Only a loggia is suitable, where it is warm and dry all year round.
- Temperature control. If it's too cold outside, wrap the box of radishes with a blanket. From the bright rays of the sun, the crop can be protected with a layer of foil. A thermometer left between vegetables will help to maintain a suitable temperature regime.
Refrigerator and freezer
The radish can be left in the vegetable drawer for up to 1 month, but at the same time it will always be at hand and you do not have to go far or defrost it for a long time.
What are the rules:
- rinse the fruit;
- dry with a towel;
- put in clean polyethylene bags with small holes;
- do not tie bags;
- place on the lower shelf or in the vegetable drawer (in the latter, packing is optional).
It is forbidden to peel the fruit from the peel, otherwise they will quickly darken and lose their structure.
You won't be able to keep your radish intact in the freezer because it takes up too much space. But you can grate it to add it to dishes or prepare syrups in winter. But the benefits of such vegetables are somewhat lower.
For storage in the chamber, the radish is packaged in bags for one-time use, since when re-frozen it can deteriorate and finally lose its taste. It is better to set the temperature not higher than -15. In such conditions, the workpiece can be stored for up to 1 year.
Harvesting the radish should be done no later than November. The fruits are cleaned from the ground, dried and sorted, so that they can then be stored in the basement, on the balcony or in the refrigerator. Under good conditions, vegetables can retain their taste and useful properties for up to 9 months.
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Russia. City: Dimitrovgrad
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