The reddish stem is normal. Garden veggies need at least 6 hrs. of direct sun light a day. Fertilizing only if you see "yellowing/pale greening" of the leaves. No need to pile up earth.

the stem in ground starts to thicken up, I thought the same as you a couple of weeks ago, but they are doing okay now, shame I hate them! I only grow them due to impatients, they come along and I can believe that the rest of the veg is on its way!

Thanks perzold6596 & heather38!
I'm glad to know that things are progressing as they should...
I'll just sit back and relax!!
Cheers!

I am growing those exact same varieties this year...

One other thing to mention (and I agree with both the other posters), if you over seeded and there are more than one stem per inch and half (or so) then you should thin them out a bit.

Steve

Thanks for adding your advice Steve. I've tried to be very meticulous when seeding all my vegetables but spacing can sometimes get a bit out of my control because of small seeds, wind, sore back!!! I'll be sure to thin out as you mention.
I'm so anxious to actually pull a 'real radish' out of my garden I can't begin to tell you!! lol