When I save seeds, I usually open up the pods, empty the seeds out, and then plant the individual seeds.

This year I had some wonderful volunteer radishes, I let one plant go to seed and now it is time to harvest. But the pods are SO tough it takes smashing them against a table with a heavy object to get them open. Besides it being hugely laborious, half the time that crushes the seeds inside. Can I just plant the entire pod, and assume the seed will burst through? I would assume I can because isn't that how it works in nature?

Very thick seed pods!