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 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 3 - 5 cm 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
22 May 20, karen (Australia - temperate climate)
I second that!
Reply or Post a new comment
06 May 20, judith (Australia - temperate climate)
In Tasmania its late May and getting much cooler. My radish plants are quite vigorous but have no roots only leaves. Is this because its not warm enough.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Jun 20, Jon Hosford (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Radishes planted in Tasmania should produce reliably in the cooler months. They do establish a root first before filling out at about week 4 or 5. I wouldn't pull them out yet.They don't like too much fertiliser. After November in Tas you are best to sow them in the shade of a taller growing crop that will shade them from harsh sun. e.g sweet corn.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 May 20, M (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm sub tropical and have done many different things trying to grow radish. Temps here from now to end of winter, day generally 22 to 27, couple in the high teens maybe. Nights 6 to 16 with the odd 3 or 4. Don't plant radish in rich soil, probably best to plant after another crop. Plant thinly and in narrow rows. I would think you have planted into too rich a soil. Must say I have the same problem at the moment. I tried to plant in wide bands sparsely, it didn't work, soil was too rich. I'm trying some called white hailstone, I think they are a more reliable milder taste. I think radish are better grown here in the winter rather than summer.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Apr 20, eugene kowbel (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
what is best radish type for early planting in zone 3b
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Mar 20, Elize (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How much water do radishes need?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Mar 20, ML (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
A little light watering each day, try and keep the soil moist. During germination and the first few days even twice a day. They have a shallow root system, light watering often.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Mar 20, Shouyu Du (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Why do my cherry belle still has a thin bulb growing out of the soil when I have already planted them for 3 weeks
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Mar 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It says 5-7 weeks to grow, maybe they need a little longer to produce round radishes. Could also be the long thin radishes, mix up of seeds. I have grown radishes for 40 + years, but only recently found better to grow into the winter. I'm about to try something a bit different. I'm going to dig the soil up a bit then pat it down a little then plant the seeds and cover with a thin layer of soil. Sometimes in loose soil the radishes grows and then heavy rain packs the soil a bit and the radishes are sticking out of the ground and they form a long small sausage shape.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 May 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I notice radish love compost
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 31 - 40 of 144 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.