The largest vegetable garden in Tyrol. In Thaur

Visible from afar, Thaur is nestled in vegetable fields and has always benefited from its south-facing location with the mighty Nordkette mountain range behind it. A place that exemplifies tradition and stands for relaxation and hospitality at any time of year.

The climatically favorable location has been intensively farmed by the inhabitants for centuries and the name "Tirol's largest vegetable garden" is no coincidence. After all, 60% of all radishes grown in Austria and many other types of vegetables come from this "gourmet region of North Tyrolean vegetables". The harvest is celebrated at the annual radish festival in Hall with music, local delicacies and, of course, radishes. Many millions of the crunchy tubers are bundled here every year. The farmers' market and stalls from the Thaurer Bauernladen farm store provide food and drink, as do the Austrian diet chefs, who prepare original dishes from radishes. Music, shoe twirling, a competition and a children's program form the supporting program. The focus is of course on the fresh radishes, which are available to taste in abundance.

Crisp, spicy and bright red, they are the first herald of spring in local cultivation! Together with lettuce, radishes are the most important crop in Tyrol in terms of area (approx. 160-200 hectares cultivated annually). With a harvest of around 100 radishes per square meter, this results in the incredible number of around 200 million radishes or 20 million bunches. All radishes are pulled out of the ground, checked and bundled by hand. They are the radish's little siblings and belong to the cruciferous family - they are therefore related to cauliflower and cabbage. The scientific name "Raphanus sativus" is derived from the Latin word "radix" = root; "sativus" means "sown", "planted" or "cultivated".

Crunchy or furry? If radishes grow evenly, are always supplied with sufficient water and are harvested in good time, the tubers will be firm and crunchy. "Furry" or "woody" radishes are usually the result of heat and drought.

The home of the Tyrolean radish has been awarded the "Genuss Region Österreich" ("Enjoyment Region Austria") label. Agriculture Minister Josef Pröll personally presented the award at the 2006 Radish Festival. Requirements for vegetable growing: soil and climate

The inner alpine microclimate of the Tyrolean Inn Valley favors vegetable growing. Strong day/night temperature differences allow strong and healthy plants to grow. The strong influence of the sun ensures that the soil and plants dry out quickly.

The vegetable growers' fields consist mainly of light gravel or Inn sand soils. The south-facing slopes between Rum and Absam are particularly favorable for the first cultivation in spring: like a solar collector, they warm up quickly even when the spring sun is low and allow sowing as early as mid-February. Vegetable growing is based exclusively on the work of family farms. An astonishing variety of different products are grown: in addition to the most important species such as radishes, lettuces, cabbages and carrots, over 60 items are offered, from artichokes to onions.