Apart from being a world-renowned athlete, David Beckham has revealed that he dabbles in the garden, based on clips he posts on Instagram – his latest project? Radishes.
'I think our radishes might be ready,' David says in a video as he inspects them. 'We have some white radishes.'
As one of the most versatile and fresh vegetables for spring and summer, now is the time to consider how to grow radishes like a pro (or David Beckham).
Shop radish essentials for the home garden
'French Breakfast' is a classic radish variety I have sown for many years. It reliably produces long and wide roots with scarlet-red skin that changes to white at the base.
A heavy-duty four-tine garden fork that is ideal for a wide range of tasks, including digging and also lifting vegetables from the soil. The fork is strong, durable, and made from high-quality stainless steel for a long lifespan.
Seed packets of daikon radish that can grow roots 2 to 4 inches in diameter and 6 to 20 inches long in as little as 45 days
According to experts, while pink radishes are certainly one of the most common options, one of the reasons this vegetable is so appealing to grow is its variety.
'Growing radishes is super quick and easy, and there is a great range of shapes, colors, and sizes to grow,' says Drew Swainston, gardens content editor at Homes & Gardens.
'Many people picture the classic pink oval-shaped radishes you see in stores, but you can get white radishes – like David is picking in the video – as well as yellow and red types that come in either round or oblong shapes.
To grow radishes for optimal summer edibility, Drew recommends planting seeds now to yield an abundant harvest (in fact, if you planted a couple of months ago, you are one step ahead of the game, as these are one of the best vegetables to plant in March).
'Sow radish seeds directly into the soil from spring until midsummer and keep moist, but not waterlogged,' he suggests. 'Thin seedlings to around an inch apart and keep the bed weed-free.'
However, bigger does not necessarily mean better when it comes to radishes, and Drew cautions us to be mindful of size.
'You can start harvesting radishes once they reach a usable size to add to summer salads, but don’t let them get too big,' he says. 'Radishes left too long will get woody, split, or even start flowering and going to seed.'
This is your cue to follow David's example – and maybe soon, like Victoria, you'll be eating five in one weekend.
