Violet de Gournay Radish

The Violet de Gournay radish is a winter variety that offers long, voluminous roots with a purple skin and a very sweet, white flesh.

The radish is a fairly hardy annual or biennial vegetable plant. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is mainly consumed for its raw root, but its freshly picked leaves can also be used to enhance soups. There are radishes of different colors, from red, which is the most common, to pink, white, or gray. They are generally classified into two main types: monthly radishes, represented by varieties with small roots, and radish turnips, represented by varieties with long roots.

Japanese radishes, or "daikon" radishes, are also available. They have a long, white, conical root and are sometimes marketed as turnips. Winter radishes have a large, taproot with black, pink, or purple skin. Their flesh is white and their leaves are green and deeply cut, forming a compact tuft at the base of the plant. They have a much stronger taste than monthly radishes. They can be eaten cooked, like turnips, or raw, like carrots. Winter radishes have many virtues: they contain vitamin C and sulfur, as well as phosphorus and magnesium. They are antiscorbutic and diuretic, and are recommended for people with liver and gallbladder problems.

Harvest and storage:

The harvest of monthly radishes and summer radishes takes place 4 to 6 weeks after sowing. Regular harvests as soon as the radishes are formed, without letting them grow too big, help to limit the risk of them becoming hollow, pungent, or indigestible. Monthly or summer radishes should be consumed quickly. The freshly harvested leaves can be cooked into a delicious soup.

The harvest of radish turnips takes place 4 to 5 months after sowing. Harvest them by gently lifting them with a fork-spade and let them dry on the ground before bringing them inside. If they stay in the ground over winter, cover the soil with straw.

Gardener's tip:

Sow radishes and carrots in the same row and at the same time, which naturally separates the carrot seeds. Once the radishes are harvested, there will be space for the carrots to grow. Planting mint alongside the radishes will help protect them from attacks by flea beetles, insects that feed on the leaves and create small irregular holes.

To have crunchy radishes throughout the season, it is good to spread out the sowings every 2 to 3 weeks in your garden or in containers.