Radish (Raphanus sativus)

Radishes are super easy to grow and have a delightful peppery flavour, making them a joy in your kitchen.

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The humble radish is actually not so humble. In fact, it's a delight in the kitchen and a wonder in your garden. Radish has the honour of being one of the first recorded cultivated vegetables. In China there are records of radishes being grown as early as 700 BCE and these humble little root crops were also favourites of the Egyptian pharaohs. The name "radish" comes from the Latin radix, meaning "a root". The first portion of their species name, Raphanus, in Greek translates to "quickly appearing", which you will find is very apt once you start growing these delightful vegetables. In fact, the very rapidity of their growth makes radishes an excellent way to get children involved in gardening, because the rewards for their efforts are almost instantaneous. More than that, however, radishes can be a very versatile friend in your kitchen.

Growing your radish

Radishes might not be nutritional "superfoods", but they are a good source of vitamin C and make a tasty appetiser or salad ingredient. Additionally, radishes are very easy to cultivate and can be grown in any part of the country if planted at the proper time.