Radish bolting again

[Marb67]

Well, year after year I just can't seem to be able to get any radish crop despite doing the correct things to encourage the roots to swell (keep well watered in a cooler part of the garden, earthed up etc) I have it in a deep container but they are now bolting. Looks like radish seed pods is the best harvest I will get this year. Is anyone else finding it impossible to grow ?

[greenishfing]

Radish, this year, is one of my few successes....and they probably shouldn't be. I planted them in the ground quite thickly as it was a part pack of old seed. I watered them immediately after planting, in full sun. Since then I have completely ignored them apart from one weeding session when I also thinned them by picking the largest to eat. They are cherry belle radish. Amazingly nothing has tried to eat them. I must plant more soon.

[Snoop Puss]

Same here. I do get some, but it's surprising how many bolt. I've decided the heat this year isn't helping. And the other answer is to sow a few every now and then, rather than what I take to be a decent-looking row all at once.

[ameno]

I always used to have this problem, but this year mine have been really successful.
On top of keeping them well watered, I would recommend growing in soil, not compost (compost doesn't hold water long enough), and not growing them too close together (rows 5-6 inches apart, thin plants to at least 1cm apart).
However I believe the biggest factor is the variety. Modern varieties seem much less prone to bolting than old ones. So chuck out those Sparkler and French Breakfast 3 seeds and buy something bred more recently (Escala is the one I've had great success with this year. Rudi have also done well for me in the past).

[Snoop Puss]

However I believe the biggest factor is the variety. Modern varieties seem much less prone to bolting than old ones. So chuck out those Sparkler and French Breakfast 3 seeds and buy something bred more recently (Escala is the one I've had great success with this year. Rudi have also done well for me in the past).

Thanks, ameno. Useful advice that I shall follow. I've just realised what a nice name you have in Spanish, by the way.

[Jungle Jane]

Yes it’s impossible but it’s because my seeds are in the packet still Ive had success just putting three seeds in a pot alongside the tomato plants. Or I just get a small ten inch pot & sow five seeds,put on the table,move to the shade in this heatwave. When I plant in the soil it attracts flea beetle. I haven’t sowed any radish this year,I don’t really like it

[Bren In Pots]

I sow french breakfast radishes just a few seeds at at time amongst other crops if they bolt the seeds get pickled.

[Marb67]

If I cut out the bolting flower stem, will this put the energy back into the bulb ?

[ameno]

If I cut out the bolting flower stem, will this put the energy back into the bulb ?

No. They'll just make new flower stems.
The moment they start bolting the root will grow no further. If the flower stem is still only a couple inches or less then the root should still be good to eat, though (assuming it's big enough); any taller than that and it will have gone woody or pithy.