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
  • Cherry radish
  • French Breakfast radishes

Small, spicy tasting root vegetable usually round but some longer varieties. Available in a range of colours between red and white.

Very easy to grow. Good for a child's first garden as seedlings appear in two or three days. Sow between other vegetables as they will mark the rows until the slower germinating plants appear.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Radish

Wash well and remove leaves and roots.
Use raw in salads or on their own with bread and butter.

Your comments and tips

26 Jan 14, Joyce (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Does 1 seed produce 1 radish? Or does it grow in a bush? Only 1 person will be eating them and I don't want to grow too many.
27 Jan 14, Maria (Australia - temperate climate)
1 seed produces 1 radish. We had lots of varieties last season.
13 Mar 15, Kristin Litwiler (USA - Zone 5a climate)
What is the best region of the US to grow radishes? What region is Arkansas in? I haven't been able to find that on the Web nor a picture of the US divided into its' regions as I've seen on seeds pack backs.
30 Oct 22, Dan von Bose (USA - Zone 8a climate)
NW third of Arkansas is zone 7, rest is 8. Type "USDA zone map" into a search engine (I used Google).
02 Apr 15, Costa (USA - Zone 9b climate)
The greens of radishes are also edible. Eat raw when the leaves are small and tender. More mature greens before turning woody or the stem becoming hard and dark or before leaves start turning yellow can be steamed or boiled....A little lemon, salt, olive oil and you have some great tasting and healthy greens.Great over a bed of rice. Also good for juicing.
03 Jun 15, Jim (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Is June too late to plant radishes in Kansas City, MO?
22 Sep 19, Gerty (USA - Zone 7b climate)
My radishes came out too small or not developed a full bulb/root at all. I used a peat based potting soil and compost + vermiculite also amended with fish/kelp emulsion. I am growing them in 6 inch deep flats with proper drainage holes. The variety is Cherry Belles, Rover, French Breakfast. Planted them in late summer for fall.
25 Apr 20, Dr. Peeper (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Sounds like your soil is too rich, probably in nitrogen.
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.
Showing 1 - 10 of 16 comments

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.

- 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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