If you're pressed for time and space to garden, selecting the right vegetable crops to grow is key. One of the best vegetables for the hurried, small-space gardener is radishes.

Radishes take up little space, and they can be grown in the ground or in containers. They mature quickly -- within one month of seeding -- and are crisp, tender, and tasty, especially if grown during the cooler weather of spring or fall. Cool temperatures bring out the best in radishes, so now is the time to plant a quick crop before the end of the gardening season.

Here's how to plant and harvest these spicy little treats this fall.

Most people are familiar with the round or cylindrical radishes. These varieties mature 20 to 30 days from seeding and can be grown in spring or fall. Oriental or "winter" radishes, such as 'Minowase Summer Cross #3' daikon (http://willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=67)take longer (60 days) to mature and should be sown in summer for a fall and winter harvest.

The spring radishes can be planted now to mature during the cool, moist days of fall. Here are some of the best varieties to try.

'Early Scarlet Globe' - This classic globe-shaped, red-skinned, and white-fleshed variety features a mild, crisp flavor. (http://willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=67)

'D'Avignon'- This French breakfast-type radish is elongated, with red skin and a white tip. It withstands some hot weather without getting pithy.(http://willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=67)

'Sparkler'- A globe-shaped, red-skinned variety with a white tip, 'Sparkler' has white, crisp flesh.(http://willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=67)

'White Icicle'- This slender, 4-inch-long, white radish is mild flavored and tender.(http://willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=67)

'Cherry Belle' - This globe- to round-shaped variety has bright red skin and white flesh. Popular with home gardeners. (http://willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=67)

While most people think of growing radishes in spring, they can be grown in fall as well. Select a spot in your garden where earlier crops, such as beans, have finished producing. Remove the old plants, amend the soil with compost, and form the area into a raised bed. Smooth and flatten the surface, removing any rocks and leftover plant roots. Broadcast seeds over the raised bed or sow in rows. Cover seeds with a light layer of sand or potting soil, tamp down the soil lightly, and water. Keep the bed moist, and within days the seeds will germinate.

In Southern areas, consider shading the bed with a shade cloth, and stagger plantings every few weeks to have a constant supply of radishes into fall.

Once they've germinated, thin the seedlings to 2 to 3 inches between plants. Winter radishes should be thinned to 2 to 4 inches apart. Radishes should be encouraged to grow quickly to maturity by keeping them well watered. Slow growing makes radishes hot in taste and woody in texture.