French Breakfast Radishes

In an effort to be more faithful about sharing variety-specific growing information on my garden selections, I will occasionally feature these varieties in their own posts.  Look for these posts to be compiled on a new page soon! 

French Breakfast radishes are a delightful little heirloom radish.  The little cylinder-shaped radishes grow to be about two or three inches long, and only about a half to three quarters inch in diameter.  I love their attractive shape and coloration (pretty darn cute, as far as root vegetables go).  I can definitely see how this variety has stuck around for over 130 years!

This is my third garden season growing French Breakfast, and I have yet to be disappointed with the results.  These little radishes mature quickly, making them a perfect choice for succession planting in spring and early summer.  I've also had great success planting them in the fall (last year they were still producing right into October!).  Just don't leave them in the ground too long, because the bigger they get, the more pithy (spongy) they become - but pick them at the right time and you have radish perfection!

As far as taste goes, these radishes are one of the mildest radishes I've ever had.  They almost have a sweetness that comes along with just enough bite to know that you're definitely eating a garden radish.  The texture and flavor make them perfect for fresh eating.  My favorite way to enjoy them is to snack on them raw and plain, but they are wonderful in salads as well.  I also made a radish butter with them last year that was delicious on crusty bread.  On the rare occasion that they aren't eaten immediately after coming out of the garden, they are also quite good roasted.

I think it's safe to say that French Breakfast will have a permanent place in my garden, so this year I'm going to try to save some seed - stay tuned to see how that goes!


And don't forget!  The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds Giveaway is open through Sunday!  Click over and enter for a chance to win this great garden resource!