Pick of the Week!

Spring is Here, Spring is Here!

Time to shake off that blanket of winter languor, folks, pull on the gardening best, and greet your old friend Mother Nature. And what better way to do this than to highlight as the "pick of the week" a vegetable whose zippy taste is known for waking the senses? So this weeks pick is the deliciously zesty Radish!

For all of you interested in starting your own garden, or perhaps adding to one, the radish should be of particular interest. The radishes we're highlighting here, the spring and summer radishes, are notorious for their low maintenance and rapid development (between 20-40 days, for most). They're a simple and easily accessible addition to any diet. Germinating within the first 3-7 days means they're also a popular option for children's gardens. These radishes are generally red, pink, white, or combination of those. Examples would be French breakfast, Easter egg, and cherry bells, to name a few.

Aside from the flavor adage, radish also has some definite health benefits. Like the previous picks of the week, radishes too are believed to be cancer-fighting aids. They're also high in fiber, potassium, vitamin c, and folate. One cup contains about 15-20 calories of mostly carbohydrates, which means they're fairly filling, healthy snacks, if you don't mind the spiciness.

Because radishes are so accessible and garden friendly, there are countless sites with simple instructions on cultivating these vegetables roots, leaves, and all. They cover everything from peak planting conditions to favorite recipes. Too much to cover here i'm afraid, but with some simple searching you'll be able to add these wonderful little vegetables to your garden rotation in no time.

Happy planting!