Growing Radish

Raphanus sativas : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P     P        

(Best months for growing Radish in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 1 - 2 inches apart
  • Harvest in 5-7 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Chervil, cress,lettuce, leeks, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes
  • Avoid growing close to: Hyssop, gherkins

Your comments and tips

12 Dec 20, Vanessa (USA - Zone 10b climate)
My baby sprouts were devoured in my raised bed, despite using bird netting. No bugs visible. What could it be??? So bummed.
14 Dec 20, (USA - Zone 3a climate)
You may have to go out at night to see what eats them. Could be snails or worms etc. If you can buy it, try some veggie netting.
24 Nov 20, Sarah Browne (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Someone is eating my radish leaves. Tiny pinprick holes. Any advice?
25 Sep 20, Dennis Naidoo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi I planted bell peppers tomatoes and brinjals They are flowering and some peppers and tomatoes are showing some fruit. What fertlizer can i use to increase fruit Dennis
05 Oct 20, Nick Baxendale (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Dennis, I use borax, dilute one tablespoon in four litres of water and spray plants when they start to flower, worked like a bomb on my brinjal plants, they also like calcium, take egg shells wash them and then crush into jar of water let stand for a couple of days them treat brinjal plants by pouring water into soil. Please don't forget to wash shells first otherwise you will have a hell of a stink, like my first time. Cheers Nick
27 Sep 20, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
A general fertiliser will do. If you start with good rich soil then you really don't need to fertilise again.
31 Aug 20, Kishinchand Chellaram (Australia - temperate climate)
HI, I planet white radish , the laves where the green leaves where long and well but the radish was very thin like a stick very thin . so what is the reason? thanks
03 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown Daiken and White Hailstone radishes the last couple of years and find they have a far bigger leaf top. As mentioned too much nitrogen probably. In the tropics and sub tropics more a autumn winter crop. Too much shade and they will not grow very well. A picket fence (on the north side of the garden) shading my radishes is enough to stop them from producing a crop.
01 Sep 20, Jon Hosford (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Radishes typically grow a long thin root with healthy leaves before filling out as the plant matures at about 6 weeks. There could be a number of reasons as to why your plants didn't mature: the soil was over rich in nitrogen fertilizer ( radishes prefer a modestly fertilised soil ); you may not have let them mature long enough before harvesting. Keep sowing the seed about 2 weeks apart for a continuous crop. In warm climates it is wise to grow radishes in between shady plants such as sweet corn. They do best in weather that is not too hot ( 20-25 celcius)
11 May 20, Noah (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I highly recommend radish to beginners as they are fun and easy to grow
Showing 21 - 30 of 144 comments

A better suggestion is a Styrofoam box used for corn or zucchini - if you can find bigger boxes the better - you can grow more at a time. Go to Foodworks, IGA or any supermarket and ask if they have any. Put newspaper, shade cloth or bubble wrap on the bottom - then about 25 mm of small pebble (the beach) - then another layer of paper, shade cloth or bubble wrap with some holes in it. Mix up some soil, sand, compost/manure and potting mix/seed raising mix. Put that in the box and give a good watering. Plant the radish and sprinkle some soil/ potting mix/seed raising mix over the radish. Keep out of the sun until they germinate or put some shade cloth or something similar over them until they germinate. With this free draining soil and shallow soil depth they will need watering each day and plenty of sun. Have 2-3-4 boxes and have a succession of plantings. This method can be also used to grow lettuce and baby spinach - plant very densely and cut the young leaves about 25-50 mm up the plant and they will reshoot - multiply cuttings. You can buy seeds on the internet 100-200 seeds for $1.

- Mike

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