Farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have a powerful new ally in the fight against crop diseases. Meet Monica Navia-Urrutia a plant pathologist at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Working in the heart of the EAA – at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) &#8212; she [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_51683" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51683" style="width: 488px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-51683" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2025/03/Monica-Navia-Urrutia-checking-for-pests-300x214.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="348" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51683" class="wp-caption-text">Monica Navia-Urrutia, an assistant professor and plant pathologist at UF/IFAS EREC checks for pests at a sugar cane field in the EAA. Photo by Avery Harrison, UF/IFAS EREC.</figcaption></figure>
Farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have a powerful new ally in the fight against crop diseases.
Meet <a href="https://erec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty-pages/dr-monica-navia-urrutia/">Monica Navia-Urrutia</a> a plant pathologist at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Working in the heart of the EAA – at the <a href="https://erec.ifas.ufl.edu">UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC)</a> &#8212; she brings unique skill sets and a passion for supporting growers with cutting-edge research and disease management solutions for the region&#8217;s key crops.
The EAA plays a crucial role in Florida’s agricultural economy, generating over <a href="https://rchattonfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/EAA-2018-Pre-Harvest-Celebration.pdf">$11 billion in sales annually and supporting 118,000 jobs</a> in Palm Beach County alone. The region’s fertile fields produce sugarcane, sweet corn, rice, lettuce, microgreens, celery, green beans and radishes, all of which are vulnerable to plant diseases that can threaten yields and drive up production costs.
Florida’s warm, humid climate is a haven for plant pathogens, making disease management a costly and continuous battle for growers, said Navia-Urrutia.
“Plant pathogens love Florida’s weather. It is warm, hot and humid most of the year, and most pathogens grow very well under these conditions,” she said. “We don’t have pronounced winters that could help reduce some pathogens in the field, and throughout the year, we can find several different diseases affecting a single crop. If not identified correctly or treated at the right time, farmers can lose valuable resources that come at a great cost.”
Navia-Urrutia’s research and Extension work focuses on developing cost-effective, disease-management strategies for sugarcane, rice and commercial sod grown in the EAA and surrounding areas.
“My goal is to provide farmers with solutions that contribute to their economic sustainability,” she said. “This ultimately impacts food security because food will be available and affordable to consumers. Even when you think about non-food crops, such as sod, its affordability also has an impact on our well-being.”
Her approach? She plans to develop tests for rapid and accurate disease diagnoses that will help farmers spot and prevent the spread of crop diseases. She will also work to identify disease-resistant sugarcane and rice cultivars, helping to reduce disease-management costs. One of her goals is to develop a disease-alert system for major EAA crops, in partnership with epidemiologists and agricultural engineers.
“UF/IFAS has created similar tools for strawberries and blueberries,” she explained. “If we can implement this for sugarcane, rice and other crops, farmers will receive real-time alerts when weather conditions favor disease outbreaks, allowing them to make informed management decisions.”
<figure id="attachment_51685" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51685" style="width: 505px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-51685" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2025/03/Monica-Navia-Urrutia-checking-for-rootrot-300x214.jpg" alt="" width="505" height="360" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51685" class="wp-caption-text">Monica Navia-Urrutia examines for presence of root rot or disease at a local grower&#8217;s field. Photo by Avery Harrison, UF/IFAS EREC.</figcaption></figure>
Beyond the fields, Navia-Urrutia’s research plans are aimed at producing direct benefits for consumers. As a staunch advocate for bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, she believes science only has an impact when it reaches the people who need it most. Her research will have direct benefits for consumers by helping farmers maintain steady, sustainable production.
“Behind every thriving crop is a farmer, and behind that farmer is a team of scientists working to make food production possible,” she said. “If we help growers keep their crops healthy, we keep food available and affordable for consumers,” she said. “And by promoting disease-resistant cultivars and responsible chemical use, we also protect Florida’s environment.”
To showcase this dedication to the agricultural community, growers and reporters are invited to join Navia-Urrutia and the rest of the EREC faculty, scientists and students on April 3 for an <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2025/03/06/april-3-field-day-at-uf-ifas-everglades-research-and-education-center-growing-together-toward-sustainability/">interactive field day themed “Growing Together Toward Sustainability.”</a> <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-erec-field-day-tickets-1119091365399?aff=oddtdtcreator">Registration is required</a> for the day’s events, at 3200 East Canal St. South in Belle Glade, that will include facility tours and highlights of current research project throughout the grounds.
While many believe plant disease control relies solely on chemical treatments, Navia-Urrutia wants to change that perception and emphasizes how plant pathologists work hard to optimize chemical use while also working on other solutions like disease-resistant crops or biological control.
“When people buy food, most of them are not aware that diseases threaten their food. But when people think about disease management, they believe we rely only on chemicals for control,” she said.
This is a misconception she plans to change.
“Plant pathologists know that for effective disease management, we must integrate as many strategies as available,” she said. “And we and plant breeders put much effort into identifying disease-resistant cultivars because we know this is the most durable, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly strategy.”
Navia-Urrutia’s journey to plant pathology began in her home country of Colombia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a focus on genetics from Universidad del Valle in Cali. She was a researcher at the International Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Palmira, Colombia, studying sustainable food systems and tackling fungal diseases affecting common bean plants. Then, she joined the Colombian Research Center in Oil Palm (CENIPALMA), where her research focused on disease detection. This experience ignited her passion for plant pathology and disease resistance research.
She went on to earn a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Kansas State University, before joining UF/IFAS as a postdoctoral associate at the <a href="https://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/">UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center</a> in Homestead. There she spent four years honing her expertise in plant diagnostics and disease management.
“&#8221;We are very fortunate to have recruited Dr. Urrutia at the EREC,” said <a href="https://erec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty-pages/dr-samira-daroub-faculty-page/">Samira Daroub</a>, EREC’s center director. “Her knowledge, skills and expertise in plant pathology are a perfect fit to the needs of our stakeholders. Her research and extension programs will focus on important diseases that may impact sugarcane, rice and sod using latest technologies in plant breeding and establishing a disease alert system&#8221;
###
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2025/03/26/nueva-fitopatologa-de-uf-ifas-brinda-esperanza-y-alivio-a-los-agricultores-de-los-everglades-contra-las-enfermedades-de-sus-cultivos/">Para accesar a este contenido en español, por favor utilice este enlace. </a>
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
&nbsp;
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME 
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at <a href="https://ifas.ufl.edu/food/">ifas.ufl.edu/food</a> or follow <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FoodIsOurMiddleName&amp;src=typed_query">#FoodIsOurMiddleName</a>.
&nbsp;

Monica Navia-Urrutia, an assistant professor and plant pathologist at UF/IFAS EREC checks for pests at a sugar cane field in the EAA. Photo by Avery Harrison, UF/IFAS EREC.
Farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have a powerful new ally in the fight against crop diseases.
Meet Monica Navia-Urrutia a plant pathologist at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Working in the heart of the EAA – at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) — she brings unique skill sets and a passion for supporting growers with cutting-edge research and disease management solutions for the region’s key crops.
The EAA plays a crucial role in Florida’s agricultural economy, generating over $11 billion in sales annually and supporting 118,000 jobs in Palm Beach County alone. The region’s fertile fields produce sugarcane, sweet corn, rice, lettuce, microgreens, celery, green beans and radishes, all of which are vulnerable to plant diseases that can threaten yields and drive up production costs.
Florida’s warm, humid climate is a haven for plant pathogens, making disease management a costly and continuous battle for growers, said Navia-Urrutia.
“Plant pathogens love Florida’s weather. It is warm, hot and humid most of the year, and most pathogens grow very well under these conditions,” she said. “We don’t have pronounced winters that could help reduce some pathogens in the field, and throughout the year, we can find several different diseases affecting a single crop. If not identified correctly or treated at the right time, farmers can lose valuable resources that come at a great cost.”
Navia-Urrutia’s research and Extension work focuses on developing cost-effective, disease-management strategies for sugarcane, rice and commercial sod grown in the EAA and surrounding areas.
“My goal is to provide farmers with solutions that contribute to their economic sustainability,” she said. “This ultimately impacts food security because food will be available and affordable to consumers. Even when you think about non-food crops, such as sod, its affordability also has an impact on our well-being.”
Her approach? She plans to develop tests for rapid and accurate disease diagnoses that will help farmers spot and prevent the spread of crop diseases. She will also work to identify disease-resistant sugarcane and rice cultivars, helping to reduce disease-management costs. One of her goals is to develop a disease-alert system for major EAA crops, in partnership with epidemiologists and agricultural engineers.
“UF/IFAS has created similar tools for strawberries and blueberries,” she explained. “If we can implement this for sugarcane, rice and other crops, farmers will receive real-time alerts when weather conditions favor disease outbreaks, allowing them to make informed management decisions.”
Monica Navia-Urrutia examines for presence of root rot or disease at a local grower’s field. Photo by Avery Harrison, UF/IFAS EREC.
Beyond the fields, Navia-Urrutia’s research plans are aimed at producing direct benefits for consumers. As a staunch advocate for bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, she believes science only has an impact when it reaches the people who need it most. Her research will have direct benefits for consumers by helping farmers maintain steady, sustainable production.
“Behind every thriving crop is a farmer, and behind that farmer is a team of scientists working to make food production possible,” she said. “If we help growers keep their crops healthy, we keep food available and affordable for consumers,” she said. “And by promoting disease-resistant cultivars and responsible chemical use, we also protect Florida’s environment.”
To showcase this dedication to the agricultural community, growers and reporters are invited to join Navia-Urrutia and the rest of the EREC faculty, scientists and students on April 3 for an interactive field day themed “Growing Together Toward Sustainability.” Registration is required for the day’s events, at 3200 East Canal St. South in Belle Glade, that will include facility tours and highlights of current research project throughout the grounds.
While many believe plant disease control relies solely on chemical treatments, Navia-Urrutia wants to change that perception and emphasizes how plant pathologists work hard to optimize chemical use while also working on other solutions like disease-resistant crops or biological control.
“When people buy food, most of them are not aware that diseases threaten their food. But when people think about disease management, they believe we rely only on chemicals for control,” she said.
This is a misconception she plans to change.
“Plant pathologists know that for effective disease management, we must integrate as many strategies as available,” she said. “And we and plant breeders put much effort into identifying disease-resistant cultivars because we know this is the most durable, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly strategy.”
Navia-Urrutia’s journey to plant pathology began in her home country of Colombia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a focus on genetics from Universidad del Valle in Cali. She was a researcher at the International Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Palmira, Colombia, studying sustainable food systems and tackling fungal diseases affecting common bean plants. Then, she joined the Colombian Research Center in Oil Palm (CENIPALMA), where her research focused on disease detection. This experience ignited her passion for plant pathology and disease resistance research.
She went on to earn a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Kansas State University, before joining UF/IFAS as a postdoctoral associate at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead. There she spent four years honing her expertise in plant diagnostics and disease management.
“”We are very fortunate to have recruited Dr. Urrutia at the EREC,” said Samira Daroub, EREC’s center director. “Her knowledge, skills and expertise in plant pathology are a perfect fit to the needs of our stakeholders. Her research and extension programs will focus on important diseases that may impact sugarcane, rice and sod using latest technologies in plant breeding and establishing a disease alert system”
###
Para accesar a este contenido en español, por favor utilice este enlace. 
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS
 
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at ifas.ufl.edu/food or follow #FoodIsOurMiddleName.

Farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have a powerful new ally in the fight against crop diseases. Meet Monica Navia-Urrutia a plant pathologist at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Working in the heart of the EAA – at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) — she […]

New UF/IFAS plant pathologist brings hope and relief to Everglades Agricultural Area farmers battling crop diseases

HARVESTING YOUR GARDEN, WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE RADISHES! Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida in the Spring. And Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. However, these root vegetables vary in size, taste and color, and [&#8230;]

HARVESTING YOUR GARDEN, WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE RADISHES!
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/gadsdenco/wp-content/blogs.dir/148/files/2018/01/DJ-Radishes.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26674 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="240" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/gadsdenco/wp-content/blogs.dir/148/files/2018/01/DJ-Radishes-240x300.jpg"></a>
Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida in the Spring. And Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. However, these root vegetables vary in size, taste and color, and can be eaten raw, oven roasted or pickled. The length of time that radishes are allowed to grow, effects their taste. However, the longer they are in the ground, the spicier they become.
Radishes contain only 19 calories per serving and are high in vitamin C, and contain other important nutrients such as folate, potassium and fiber. According to the Center for Disease Control, eating vegetables may help reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer.
Radishes add color, flavor, and texture to coleslaws, salads and side dishes.
Oven roasting root vegetables helps release their natural sugars and brings out their sweet, nutty flavors!
Here is a light and flavorful coleslaw recipe for all of those freshly picked root vegetables. Adding granny smith apples and thinly sliced radishes to traditional coleslaw, makes it sweet, peppery and delicious!
&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="521"> Cabbage, Apple and Radish Coleslaw Serves: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="521">INGREDIENTS:
5 cups of shredded cabbage, red or green
1 cup granny smith Apples, cut into small pieces
¾ cup radish, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons white onions diced
DRESSING:
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoons water
1.5 tablespoons oil
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
A pinch of salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix cabbage, radishes, apples and onions in large mixing bowl
In smaller bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, water, oil, mustard, celery seed and salt and pepper, and mix well
Add dressing to cabbage mix and stir well.
&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
To learn more about Radishes, Visit the FDAC website at: <a href="http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/search?SearchText=radishes">http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/search?SearchText=radishes</a>
To learn more about Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, visit the CDC Website at
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/">https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/</a>
Author: Laurie Osgood &#8211; <a href="mailto:osgoodlb@ufl.edu">osgoodlb@ufl.edu</a>
Laurie B. Osgood is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at the Gadsden County Extension office. You can contact her at: (850) 875-7255. <a href="http://gadsden.ifas.ufl.edu">http://gadsden.ifas.ufl.edu</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

HARVESTING YOUR GARDEN, WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE RADISHES!

Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida in the Spring. And Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. However, these root vegetables vary in size, taste and color, and can be eaten raw, oven roasted or pickled. The length of time that radishes are allowed to grow, effects their taste. However, the longer they are in the ground, the spicier they become.
Radishes contain only 19 calories per serving and are high in vitamin C, and contain other important nutrients such as folate, potassium and fiber. According to the Center for Disease Control, eating vegetables may help reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer.
Radishes add color, flavor, and texture to coleslaws, salads and side dishes.
Oven roasting root vegetables helps release their natural sugars and brings out their sweet, nutty flavors!
Here is a light and flavorful coleslaw recipe for all of those freshly picked root vegetables. Adding granny smith apples and thinly sliced radishes to traditional coleslaw, makes it sweet, peppery and delicious!
 
   Cabbage, Apple and Radish Coleslaw  Serves: 8       Prep Time: 10 minutes


INGREDIENTS:
5 cups of shredded cabbage, red or green
1 cup granny smith Apples, cut into small pieces
¾ cup radish, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons white onions diced
DRESSING:
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoons water
1.5 tablespoons oil
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
A pinch of salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix cabbage, radishes, apples and onions in large mixing bowl
In smaller bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, water, oil, mustard, celery seed and salt and pepper, and mix well
Add dressing to cabbage mix and stir well.
 



To learn more about Radishes, Visit the FDAC website at: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/search?SearchText=radishes
To learn more about Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, visit the CDC Website at
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/
Author: Laurie Osgood – osgoodlb@ufl.edu
Laurie B. Osgood is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at the Gadsden County Extension office. You can contact her at: (850) 875-7255. http://gadsden.ifas.ufl.edu

HARVESTING YOUR GARDEN, WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE RADISHES! Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida in the Spring. And Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. However, these root vegetables vary in size, taste and color, and […]

What to do with all these radishes!

Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida, and in the Spring, there is an abundance of radishes in our gardens. So, what do you do with all those radishes? Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. Radishes are a [&#8230;]

Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida, and in the Spring, there is an abundance of radishes in our gardens. So, what do you do with all those radishes?
<a href="http://extadmin.ifas.ufl.edu/nwdistrictmedia/ph-livingwell/2017/05/DJ-Radishes.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3331 alignleft lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="120" height="150" data-src="http://extadmin.ifas.ufl.edu/nwdistrictmedia/ph-livingwell/2017/05/DJ-Radishes-240x300.jpg"></a>Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. Radishes are a root vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage) family. Radishes vary in size, taste, and color. Radishes can be eaten raw, oven roasted, or pickled. The length of time radishes are allowed to grow affects their taste. The longer they are in the ground, the spicier they become.
Radishes contain only 19 calories per serving, are high in vitamin C, and contain other important nutrients such as folate, potassium, and fiber. According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating vegetables like radishes may help reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.
Radishes add color, flavor, and texture to coleslaws, salads, and side dishes. When oven roasting root vegetables like radishes, their natural sugars are released, bringing out their sweet, nutty flavors!
Here is a light and flavorful coleslaw recipe for all of those freshly picked radishes. Adding granny smith apples and thinly sliced radishes to traditional coleslaw makes it sweet, peppery, and delicious!
&nbsp;
<table style="height: 618px" width="372">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="651">
 Cabbage, Apple, and Radish Coleslaw
 Serves: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="651">INGREDIENTS:
5 cups of shredded cabbage, red or green
1 cup granny smith Apples, cut into small pieces
¾ cup radish, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons white onions, diced
DRESSING:
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoons water
1.5 tablespoons oil
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
A pinch of salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix cabbage, radishes, apples, and onions in large mixing bowl.
In smaller bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, water, oil, mustard, celery seed, and salt and pepper, and mix well.
Add dressing to cabbage mix and stir well. Place in refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes before serving.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
To learn more about Radishes, visit the FDACS website at: <a href="http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/search?SearchText=radishes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/search?SearchText=radishes</a>
Cabbage, Radish, Apple Coleslaw recipe courtesy of Blackberrybabe.com: <a href="http://blackberrybabe.com/2016/05/23/cabbage-radish-apple-cole-slaw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">blackberrybabe.com/2016/05/23/cabbage-radish-apple-cole-slaw/</a>
To learn more about Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, visit the CDC Website at <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida, and in the Spring, there is an abundance of radishes in our gardens. So, what do you do with all those radishes?
Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. Radishes are a root vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage) family. Radishes vary in size, taste, and color. Radishes can be eaten raw, oven roasted, or pickled. The length of time radishes are allowed to grow affects their taste. The longer they are in the ground, the spicier they become.
Radishes contain only 19 calories per serving, are high in vitamin C, and contain other important nutrients such as folate, potassium, and fiber. According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating vegetables like radishes may help reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.
Radishes add color, flavor, and texture to coleslaws, salads, and side dishes. When oven roasting root vegetables like radishes, their natural sugars are released, bringing out their sweet, nutty flavors!
Here is a light and flavorful coleslaw recipe for all of those freshly picked radishes. Adding granny smith apples and thinly sliced radishes to traditional coleslaw makes it sweet, peppery, and delicious!
 
   Cabbage, Apple, and Radish Coleslaw
  Serves: 8        Prep Time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
5 cups of shredded cabbage, red or green
1 cup granny smith Apples, cut into small pieces
¾ cup radish, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons white onions, diced
DRESSING:
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoons water
1.5 tablespoons oil
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
A pinch of salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix cabbage, radishes, apples, and onions in large mixing bowl.
In smaller bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, water, oil, mustard, celery seed, and salt and pepper, and mix well.
Add dressing to cabbage mix and stir well. Place in refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes before serving.



 
To learn more about Radishes, visit the FDACS website at: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/search?SearchText=radishes
Cabbage, Radish, Apple Coleslaw recipe courtesy of Blackberrybabe.com: blackberrybabe.com/2016/05/23/cabbage-radish-apple-cole-slaw/
To learn more about Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, visit the CDC Website at https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/

Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in North Florida, and in the Spring, there is an abundance of radishes in our gardens. So, what do you do with all those radishes? Radishes are a fast growing vegetable that can grow from a seed to a plant in less than 30 days. Radishes are a […]

Harvesting Your Garden:  What To Do With All Those Radishes!

including: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, kale, mustard, radish, rutabaga &amp; turnip

Radishes

Publications

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Daikon Radish Cultivation Guide for Florida

New UF/IFAS plant pathologist brings hope and relief to Everglades Agricultural Area farmers battling crop diseases

What to do with all these radishes!

Harvesting Your Garden: What To Do With All Those Radishes!