tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post5876509519262638078..comments2024-03-28T06:48:42.379-05:00Comments on MrBrownThumb: Testing Soil Quality by Growing RadishesMrBrownThumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-80808252473157866102013-02-03T07:49:32.543-06:002013-02-03T07:49:32.543-06:00But there is another possibility: radishes will no...But there is another possibility: radishes will not produce good roots, only top growth, when temperatures are too high.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-77835026132989614312012-03-12T18:33:15.677-05:002012-03-12T18:33:15.677-05:00Sorry to be a spoil sport, this is a nice blog...b...Sorry to be a spoil sport, this is a nice blog...but whatever program/software you're using...it's making my cpu use 97-99% of it's capacity. I've tested this by eliminating all the other Firefox 9.0 tabs/websites I'm watching, and this is the one causing the problem.<br /><br />If you can fix the problem, please let me know...I'd like to keep tuning in.<br /><br />John<br />jbclem1@charter.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-79117889341229526372011-05-25T08:54:08.453-05:002011-05-25T08:54:08.453-05:00Thanks again for the tip MBT! Thought I'd com...Thanks again for the tip MBT! Thought I'd come back to confirm the results and what I did to fix my radish envy issue. Since I garden organically I didn't want to beef up the potassium with a chemical fertilizer. I did some research and still wasn't sure what to use. <br /><br />Then I mentioned this post to my mom when visiting her in April. She said wood ashes are great for adding potassium to the soil. To make it even better, she and her garden buddy heat their home with wood that comes from their property and save the ashes. (They participate in the WI DNR managed forest plan, and every couple of years have a number of trees, (mostly invasives) cut down. Their firewood is never chemically treated, so I brought back a big box of wood ashes, and spread them over the garden. It worked! Rain watered the ashes in (couldn't mix them in the soil since the radishes were already growing,) and for the first time here I've been enjoying normal-sized radishes! I'm sure the added potassium will be good for the other veggies too.garden girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13284047851881823280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-37114519292380118402011-04-12T06:39:36.265-05:002011-04-12T06:39:36.265-05:00This year we planted English Breakfast Radishes, t...This year we planted English Breakfast Radishes, they did great, several so far as big as my index finger and I have large hands. Two years ago the soil was not as rich and the radishes did no where as good as this year.Randy Emmitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10292186655869617897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-91308434823892348212011-04-09T16:56:57.035-05:002011-04-09T16:56:57.035-05:00Great tip, thanks, MBT!Great tip, thanks, MBT!Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14527649631254016576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-70886468924035253552011-04-08T15:32:15.004-05:002011-04-08T15:32:15.004-05:00You know, there are just some things I'd never...You know, there are just some things I'd never think of myself. This tip qualifies. I can just see radishes planted between Mike's dahlias this year. Thanks.Carol@OhWhatABeautifulGarden-Chicagolandhttp://www.ohwhatabeautifulgarden-chicagoland.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-23871298198257093582011-04-06T01:35:56.271-05:002011-04-06T01:35:56.271-05:00Great idea! I can't wait to harvest my radishe...Great idea! I can't wait to harvest my radishes now! Well, I already couldn't...but this is a great idea! Love it!meg- grow and resisthttp://www.growandresist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-79284629353377146922011-04-06T01:13:48.400-05:002011-04-06T01:13:48.400-05:00Those are the cutest little miniature radishes MBT...Those are the cutest little miniature radishes MBT! They look perfect in every way, even if they are a mite small. :)<br /><br />I've never heard of this before, and I've been growing vegetables for more than 40 years. What a fantastic tip! <br /><br />The radishes here, while not nearly as tiny as yours in the photo, tend to be smaller than I'm used to growing. I've attributed it to the fact that I don't have enough sun. Even though my beds are loaded with nice, rich compost, I'm definitely going to look for organic source(es) of phosphorus and potassium to amend the soil. I'm excited to see if it will make a difference and give me the nice, fat radishes I used to grow, in spite of being a bit short on sun.garden girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13284047851881823280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-92108353048854802372011-04-05T23:56:35.638-05:002011-04-05T23:56:35.638-05:00I'll have to shovel the snow off the yard firs...I'll have to shovel the snow off the yard first, and then maybe get the torch out to do some thawing of earth, and finally fence off the area so the bears and moose don't get into it. Yes, after that, I want to try the radish experiment.<br /><br /> It really stinks to live in a frozen wasteland in early spring....<br /><br />Christine in Alaska, a fresh 6 inches of snow todayChristine B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08335289758548637661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-16172782529801182722011-04-05T21:26:53.211-05:002011-04-05T21:26:53.211-05:00What a genius idea. I can't wait to see how t...What a genius idea. I can't wait to see how the radishes grow in my brand new garden beds with brand new "special soil" that's supposed to be good for vegetable gardening. Thank you so much for posting this. And those French Breakfast radishes after 90 days in generic potting soil - just pitiful!!! :-)thyme2gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06512569281844698265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-6425371218173566832011-04-05T15:53:43.360-05:002011-04-05T15:53:43.360-05:00How interesting! My radishes were less than succes...How interesting! My radishes were less than successful last year, as well as other plants - I chalked it up to planting late. I will definitely see about getting my soil tested.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07885719565669612922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-62526727458578690032011-04-05T15:48:54.896-05:002011-04-05T15:48:54.896-05:00I never would have thought of this test - very int...I never would have thought of this test - very interesting. I will have to give this experiment a try this year!Garden Hoardhttp://www.gardenhoard.com/newsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-64364787995207409392011-04-05T10:00:20.515-05:002011-04-05T10:00:20.515-05:00Great idea, I must try this in my new garden area....Great idea, I must try this in my new garden area. I love that it's quick & easy and you can possibly eat the rewards (if they size up properly). I usually try to take notice of the way plants are growing to see if there are deficiencies, usually you can tell.Chiot's Runhttp://www.chiotsrun.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-56996265415473490422011-04-05T09:58:38.665-05:002011-04-05T09:58:38.665-05:00I hate eating radishes but I'm going to plant ...I hate eating radishes but I'm going to plant some just to test the soil.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10137669345515958093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-63788206304701343542011-04-05T05:26:36.943-05:002011-04-05T05:26:36.943-05:00Hi MBT,
This sounds like a great experiment, but ...Hi MBT,<br /><br />This sounds like a great experiment, but I have already fertilized and composted my veggie bed. Seeds are in and just sprouting so we will see what I get. I do not always get a good crop of radishes.<br /><br />A friend told me once that I should plant radish seeds according to the moon (Farmers Almanac).<br /><br />EileenGatsbys Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04228978705943696143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-88733108602372386112011-04-05T01:08:08.787-05:002011-04-05T01:08:08.787-05:00This is simply amazing, Mr. Brown Thumb! I'll ...This is simply amazing, Mr. Brown Thumb! I'll have to try it in my raised beds. Thank you!Karen ~ Wall Flower Studiohttp://wallflowerstudioseeds.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-19381421309931719042011-04-04T21:16:59.082-05:002011-04-04T21:16:59.082-05:00I think you are right with the lack of nutrients. ...I think you are right with the lack of nutrients. This year we are growing radishes in raised beds. So I'm looking forward to seeing the results of that.meemsnychttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10584936035577822444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-87581548539327359212011-04-04T20:16:10.868-05:002011-04-04T20:16:10.868-05:00So happy to have found your blog! This post is fas...So happy to have found your blog! This post is fascinating. I have never heard of the radish test but I'm certainly going to try it. very cool!Kate @ Gardening and Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02371717107588481262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-54468952034851872372011-04-04T20:04:44.585-05:002011-04-04T20:04:44.585-05:00Great tip. If everything goews well, we can eat t...Great tip. If everything goews well, we can eat the radishes, too!webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168174623602308906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-41744493349975093122011-04-04T15:16:41.910-05:002011-04-04T15:16:41.910-05:00A great idea! I've always grown my radishes in...A great idea! I've always grown my radishes in containers with decent soil and also know my regular beds don't have the best soil... so I won't commit radish torture, personally. :)Monica the Garden Faeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06369882350990949968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-31315474077803518642011-04-04T13:24:13.228-05:002011-04-04T13:24:13.228-05:00@Gardener on Sherlock Street Right? Is there anyth...@Gardener on Sherlock Street Right? Is there anything radishes can't do? Radishes are best! <br /><br />@Erin, I had the same reaction the first time I did this test with bonsai soil when I read about it in the book mentioned above. <br /><br />@Linnea, Yes, you can plant radishes now in the ground/soil in the Chicago area if you want to try this experiment/tip.MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-17204914565006476002011-04-04T12:41:24.439-05:002011-04-04T12:41:24.439-05:00I’m going to give this a try. Thanks! In the Chica...I’m going to give this a try. Thanks! In the Chicago area, would this be a good time to start radish seeds? <br /><br />LinneaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-35911418335227954242011-04-04T12:23:43.075-05:002011-04-04T12:23:43.075-05:00Wow ... I'm fascinated. Very interesting.Wow ... I'm fascinated. Very interesting.Erin @ The Impatient Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14166660410287418037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-89775824406440274792011-04-04T12:07:17.656-05:002011-04-04T12:07:17.656-05:00What great information. Radishes. I've alway...What great information. Radishes. I've always loved them. Here's one more reason.Gardener on Sherlock Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11367115529793643362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-73859831789928659552011-04-04T12:06:49.747-05:002011-04-04T12:06:49.747-05:00@Meemsnyc, The lush growth and no root is suppose ...@Meemsnyc, The lush growth and no root is suppose to be indicative of soil that doesn't have enough phosphorous and potassium. But I guess it is possible your radishes didn't grow because your soil is too compact. Although, there's this blog (mustardplaster.blogspot.com) that I read who posts a lot of root crop pictures. And in her blog pics they show that when the roots hit the hard surface they just start growing at an angle. So, I think even if your soil was too hard the root would probably angle itself to keep growing in the more loose portion of the soil. <br /><br />@Elaine, You're welcomed. Hope you find it useful!<br /><br />@Mud, Glad you too found it useful!MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.com