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

02 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I picked some today - rough looking, probably a bit tough. They are longer than the winter ones - the root seems to be growing longer in search of water even though I water them every day or two. The winter ones are a lot better looking.
22 Oct 18, Jean (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow radishes a few years ago and they were so hot and spicy and I wanted to have another go, but when I went to the shop they had three or four different type. I just want to know which ones are mild and I can grow here in Brisbane.
06 Sep 19, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
Most of the heat is in the outer - red - skin. As a small child I'd peel that away (thumbnail worked well) and eat the white flesh inside, which is much milder. The leftover skin can be used in cooking, where they lose the peppery taste. Another way to use overly hot radishes is therefore to cut them into halves or quarters, coat in oil, and roast them in a hot oven (say 220C) until coloured and not too watery inside (30 mins or more).
23 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown them for 40+ years and I think it has to do with watering and weather. Better grown into/in the winter - a more even growing conditions - smaller variation of temp and water in the soil. If grown in the hotter weather they can dry out a bit and I think this makes them hotter. Try and grow quickly. Pick as soon as they reach the required size. They will keep in the fridge for weeks.
28 Jan 18, Alice (Australia - temperate climate)
You mentioned that Radishes are best planted at three times the seed's diameter. Could you suggest a specific depth for a variety such as a Cherry Radish?
02 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I received some cherry radish in the mail yesterday and it says 10mm deep.
30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
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.
01 Aug 17, Corinne Young (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow Radishes in pots . Deep pots. I live in Capel , Western Australia.
03 Aug 17, Bev (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Your pot size must be relative to the size of the radish. Radishes come in sizes ranging from 2cm to 30cm & larger !
02 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
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.
Showing 51 - 60 of 144 comments

why did my radish look great when harvest,but were not nice .soft and spongy airy inside.

- lana

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