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

22 May 20, karen (Australia - temperate climate)
I second that!
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.
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.
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.
05 Apr 20, eugene kowbel (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
what is best radish type for early planting in zone 3b
08 Mar 20, Elize (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How much water do radishes need?
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.
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
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.
01 May 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I notice radish love compost
Showing 31 - 40 of 144 comments

Just run the rake handle in the soil to make a small furrow 4-6mm deep. Shake a few seeds into one hand and then pick up a few with the other hand and drop along the furrow. When finished cover the seeds with 4-6mm of soil. Water them morning and night. You could put a piece of shade cloth over the top of them until they germinate.

- Mike

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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.
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