Thursday, 27 December 2012

In praise of the radish

Yesterday I picked the first real produce from our new patch.  It was a humble radish -  the first produce that had been raised from seed in our new garden beds.


I had been picking a little already -  the odd tiny tomato and chilli and handfulls of blueberries - but these were transplants and much like myself, raised in the city patch and placed into their new home here at Highfield. This radish is a native Highfielder.

I know that the radish is not especially hard to grow or especially exotic, but there is some special satisfaction in the first crop from a new garden and radish are so easily able to provide that satisfaction becasue they are such a quick crop. And they are both pretty and pretty delicious.


Today I picked a bunch of radish for a lunch time swipe thru home made hummus.


I have one row ready to harvest from, another with solid green tops and another row put in just yesterday.


Rocket ready for raiding
The best thing about the radish rows is that there doesn't seem to be a pest here that fancy them. I have had endless trouble with pumpkins and beans which seem irresistible to the bevy of beasties that live here, but the radish (and the rocket for that matter which I will start harvesting too soon) don't seem to be desired by the rabbits, tip nipping earwigs, slaters or the tiny stink bugs I have discovered today climbing all over my tomatoes.

Radish and rocket salad on the menu.

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7 comments:

  1. Bek27 December 2012 at 20:17

    What a lovely first harvest. And it looks like you've got plenty on the way! I wish my bugs didn't like radishes - they love them! I think I've planted at least 200 seeds and I've got 3 that survived. Not good odds...

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    Replies
    1. Unknown28 December 2012 at 14:27

      Bummer! I wonder why your sowing failed? Do you sow them deep? Do ants walk off with them? I must say I have never really had any trouble with radish, one reason to grow them I say. Also cause they are such a wonderful spicy crunchy treat.

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    2. Bek30 December 2012 at 15:41

      I think its snails, as they definitely germinate but seem to mysteriously disappear shortly after that...

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  2. Nina28 December 2012 at 07:41

    You've only been there five minutes and look at your bounty! You've reminded me to plant some radish - the last lot had bites out of them - I can't imagine from what - the chooks, maybe? Though I'm sure I had them covered.

    I planted out my corn yesterday. This is very late for me as I usually have some ready for New Year's Eve. I can see a glut coming on - I planted way too many - but they do freeze well (and the chooks love 'em).

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    Replies
    1. Unknown28 December 2012 at 14:29

      Hmm, do you have mice visiting your patch? I have in the past had some with nibbles and have assumed it was mice. CORN! Love corn, and have the space to put some in but I am afraid my soil is just not rich enough to take such a crop at the moment. Best wait till I have developed it more. Hope your corn grows well.

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  3. Frogdancer28 December 2012 at 07:42

    Found you through Bek. Really enjoying your writing... am adding you to my feed reader.
    I feel guilty about my lack of gardening over the last few months now... better get out there today and plant something!

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    Replies
    1. Unknown28 December 2012 at 14:32

      Oh thank you. I have been trying to put a little more effort into the writing. When I started this blog I didn't start with writing in mind - just gardening and documenting the garden's progress. But now I have a little more time, and with the added inspiration of the new patch, I am enjoying the writing bit more. I am looking forward to reading your blog, thanks for finding mine.

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