Expert: Stephen Barichko - 5/27/2007

Question
Why do my radishes (Western SD) always go to tops and have very small if anything underneath?

Answer
Hi,
Your radishes do this because the soil is not feeding the roots well enough, and so all the plant's growth is going to its foliage.
I don't have much experience with growing radishes, but if they are anything like carrots, which I do grow, your issue may be nematodes--small microorganisms that stunt the growth of root plants by eating away at them. Try spreading one pound of sugar per every 10 square feet of your radish bed and work it well into the soil. Next spring, overspray the whole area with 1 can of beer and one cup of molasses diluted into 20 gallons of water--that should do the trick. I hope this helps!

Steve