Radish Seed Saving: A Guide to Harvesting and Storing Radish Seeds

Radishes are a popular root vegetable that can be enjoyed fresh or cooked. In addition to the tasty roots, radishes also produce beautiful flowers and seed pods that can be harvested for future planting. Saving radish seeds is an easy way to ensure a continuous supply of this flavorful crop year after year. In this article, we will discuss the process of harvesting and storing radish seeds.

Why Save Radish Seeds?

Saving radish seeds allows you to grow your own radishes without having to purchase new seeds each season. It also ensures that you have access to the specific variety of radish that you enjoy. Additionally, by saving seeds from your own garden, you can select for desirable traits such as size, shape, and flavor.

When to Harvest Radish Seeds

Radish seeds are ready to harvest when the seed pods turn brown and dry out. This typically occurs 4-6 weeks after the plant has bloomed. You can check the seed pods by gently squeezing them. If they feel firm and have a hard texture, they are ready for harvesting.

Radish seed pods on the plant.

How to Harvest Radish Seeds

To harvest radish seeds, begin by cutting the seed pods off of the plant using scissors or pruning shears. Place the seed pods in a paper bag and allow them to fully dry out for several days. Once the pods are dry, gently crush them with your hands to release the seeds. The seeds will fall to the bottom of the bag.

Harvested radish seeds in a paper bag.

Storing Radish Seeds

Once the radish seeds have been harvested, it is important to store them properly to ensure their viability for future planting. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place such as a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator. Be sure to label the jar with the variety and date of harvest.

A sealed glass jar containing radish seeds.

Tips for Seed Saving Success

Here are some additional tips for successfully saving radish seeds:

• Choose healthy, disease-free plants to save seeds from.
• Allow the seed pods to fully mature on the plant before harvesting.
• Ensure that the seed pods are completely dry before removing the seeds.
• Store the seeds in a cool, dry place until ready to use.

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