Why Do Radishes Split?

Harvest Quickly

• Leaving radishes in the ground too long is a primary cause of splitting. Harvest spring varieties the minute they become fully ripe -- usually when the root crop reaches 1 inch in diameter. Push the soil gently aside to see if they appear large enough to harvest. Radishes remain edible for only a few days before they split or become pithy. The longer they wait underground, the hotter a taste they develop, as well. Proper thinning of radish seedlings focuses care on the survivors, so you can keep up with the harvest.

Balance Moisture

• A heavy rain coming after a period of dryness can cause mature radishes to burst and split. Although you cannot control the amount of rain falling on your crop, make sure you plant in loose, well-draining soil. Mulch your radishes and water the plants consistently for the best mild flavor. Even watering will also assure quick growth. Midway in the growing season, side-dress your crop with a layer of aged compost to add nutrients, hold in the moisture and discourage weeds.

Clear Away Obstructions

• Since radishes are a root crop, remove anything besides loose soil in the planting beds, such as rocks, soil lumps or old roots from previous plantings. Obstructions may cause deformities in the growing roots. Conceivably, this could include cracking or splitting. The small, early radish varieties take up less space than nearly any other crop that you can grow. Two square feet should produce as many radishes, spaced 2 to 3 inches apart, as you need in one harvest. So sifting through the site for obstructions before planting should not be too big a job.

More Than a Garnish

• The benefits of growing radishes extend beyond providing decoration or garnishes for dishes. Some gardeners sow them as a nurse crop for slower-growing plants, like parsley or carrots, because they shade these more delicate seedlings from the sun until they gain the strength to make it on their own. Interplanted with these, radishes help break the soil crust for the weaker specimens. After harvest, both roots and greens make good additions to soups, stir fries and salads. Sprout radish seeds for a peppery accompaniment for a sandwich or salad. Besides having a negligible amount of calories and nutrients like potassium, vitamin C and folate, radishes reportedly aid in the digestion of fatty foods. Because of their high water content, radishes do not freeze or dry well but can be pickled for future consumption.