Summer Radish Zürcher Markt [Raphanus sativus]

The annual summer radish 'Zürcher Markt' is a radish variety for summer cultivation with 10-15 cm long and thick roots. Only 40 days of cultivation time. Juicy, strong, spicy and slightly hot taste. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvest the roots.

 Description 
The summer radish 'Zürcher Markt' is an old annual early summer and summer radish root vegetable variety that has been cultivated in Switzerland as a vegetable and medicinal plant since the Middle Ages. The plants have a rosette-like growth form with green, upright, pinnate and bristly hairy leaves. The fast-growing and robust plants develop white and elongated roots, with white flesh and a juicy, strong, spicy and slightly hot taste. For cultivation in early spring and summer.

 General information 
Plant family: Brassicaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 40 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -4°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 5.5 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 12-20 °C
Germination time: 4-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 10x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Bean, Pea, Lettuce, Nasturtium, Chard, Parsley, Spinach, Carrot, Leek, Tomato, Salsify
Unfavorable mixed culture: Cucumber, Cabbage, Radish, Rocket, Mustard, Zucchini, Corn, Potato

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from February to November is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from March to August is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Due to the simple and uncomplicated germination, direct sowing in rows is recommended. Do not sow the seeds more than 1-2 cm deep so that the roots can develop. The seeds can be sown close together, and by thinning them out later, the small and too densely growing young radishes can be harvested early to give others the space they need to grow.
Summer radish 'Zürcher Markt' prefers a permeable, nutrient-rich, moist and humus-rich loamy soil. Doesn't tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a continuous harvest, we recommend sowing the seeds in 3-week intervals. The soil composition determines the spiciness of the tubers. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, we recommend incorporating biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Regular watering during dry periods is necessary to minimize the roots from splitting. Occasional weeding helps the young plants develop. Loosened, nutrient-rich and moist soil is sufficient. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Raphanus sativus
English names: Summer radish
German names: Rettich, Sommer-Rettich
Portuguese names: Rabanete, Rábano, Raiz-forte
Spanish names: Rábano picante
French names: Raifort

 Origin 
Country: Switzerland