Exactly How to Grow Radishes

Growing radishes is an easy and fun way to get spicy vegetables fresh from your garden to your table.

Radishes are one of our favorite early season crops to grow in the garden and they can be harvested in a very short time, making them an excellent beginner crop. In this article we’ll share exactly how to grow radishes, the best varieties, when to plant radishes and how to overcome radish growing challenges. You can also get our free pdf printable for growing the best radishes.

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Contents

Growing Radishes Quick Facts

Here are some of the top growing facts for growing delicious radishes in your garden.

Quick Fact	Details
Best Time to Plant	Early spring or fall, when temperatures are between 45-85°F (7-29°C). Radishes prefer cooler weather.
Soil pH	Optimal pH range is 6.0 to 7.0, slightly acidic to neutral soil.
Soil Type	Well-draining, loose, and rich in organic matter. Sandy loam soils are ideal for radishes.
Sunlight	Full sun is best for radishes, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering	Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry.
Fertilizing	Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer before planting. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote leafy growth at the expense of the root.
Plant Spacing	Space radish seeds about 1-2 inches apart in rows, with rows spaced 6-12 inches apart.
Common Pests	Aphids, flea beetles, and root maggots are common pests. Use row covers or natural predators to protect the plants.
Companion Plants	Radishes make excellent companions for carrots, spinach, lettuce, and peas. They can help deter pests from these neighboring plants. (learn more about companion planting radishes).
Harvest Time	Radishes are usually ready to harvest in 3-4 weeks from planting when the roots are about 1 inch in diameter. Harvest promptly to avoid woody or pithy radishes.

Selecting the Best Radish Variety

Here are some of the top radish varieties to grow in your backyard garden:

Cherry Belle Radish: Cherry Belle is a classic radish variety known for its bright red, globe-shaped roots. These radishes are quick to mature, typically ready for harvest in just 22-30 days. They have a mild, crisp texture and a mildly spicy flavor, making them perfect for salads, garnishes, or snacking.

French Breakfast Radish: French Breakfast radishes are easily recognizable by their elongated shape and distinctive red tops that fade to white at the tips. They offer a delightful combination of sweet and slightly spicy flavors. These radishes are ready to harvest in about 24-28 days and are great for adding a pop of color and flavor to your dishes.

Easter Egg Radish: If you’re looking to add some visual diversity to your radish patch, Easter Egg radishes are an excellent choice. This variety produces a mix of red, purple, pink, and white radishes in the same crop. They have a mild, crisp texture and a slightly peppery taste. Harvest them around 25-30 days after planting for a colorful addition to salads and platters.

Daikon Radish: Daikon radishes, also known as Japanese radishes, are large, elongated radishes with a milder flavor than their smaller counterparts. They are excellent for pickling, stir-frying, and adding a mild crunch to various dishes. Daikons typically take 60-70 days to mature, and they grow best in well-drained, loose soil.

Watermelon Radish: Watermelon radishes are a visually striking variety with green and white exteriors that reveal a vibrant, rosy-pink interior when sliced. They offer a mild, slightly peppery flavor and are popular for salads and garnishes. These radishes are ready for harvest in about 50-60 days, making them a unique addition to your garden.

Black Spanish Radish: Black Spanish radishes are known for their dark black skin and a spicy, pungent flavor. These radishes take a bit longer to mature, around 55-70 days, but they’re worth the wait. They are often used in traditional European dishes, where their bold taste can be appreciated.

Icicle Radish: Icicle radishes are long and slender with white roots and a crisp, mildly peppery taste. They are quick to mature, ready for harvest in approximately 24-30 days. Icicle radishes are versatile in the kitchen and can be enjoyed fresh, pickled, or added to stir-fries for a satisfying crunch.

Including these radish varieties in your garden can add diversity and flavor to your radish-growing experience, catering to various tastes and culinary preferences. Shop for radish seeds at your local garden center or online at Johnny’s Seeds.

How to Grow Radishes

When to Plant radishes

To achieve the best results when growing radishes, it’s essential to plant them during the cooler seasons of early spring or fall. Aim to sow radish seeds when the average temperatures range between 45-85°F (7-29°C). These mild conditions provide the ideal environment for radish germination and growth, ensuring that you’ll enjoy crisp, flavorful radishes within a relatively short timeframe.

How to Plant Radishes

Planting radishes is a straightforward process.

Begin by selecting a well-drained, loose soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Prepare the garden bed by loosening the soil and removing any rocks or debris. Sow radish seeds about half an inch deep and 1-2 inches apart in rows spaced 6-12 inches apart.

Water the seeds thoroughly after planting, and ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Keep the soil consistently moist by watering when the top inch dries out, but avoid waterlogging.

Radish Care and Maintenance

Caring for radishes is relatively low-maintenance, making them an excellent addition to any garden or homestead.

Once your radish seeds have sprouted, it’s crucial to thin the seedlings to ensure proper spacing, typically leaving about 2 inches between each plant. Regularly monitor soil moisture, as consistent watering is key to radish development. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root cracking.

Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and flea beetles, and consider using row covers or natural predators to protect your radish plants. To prevent radishes from becoming woody, harvest them as soon as they reach the desired size, which is typically within 3-4 weeks of planting.

Harvesting and Storing Radishes

Radishes are typically ready for harvest in a relatively short period, usually within 3-4 weeks of planting. To determine their readiness, gently pull one from the soil and check if it has reached the desired size, typically around 1 inch in diameter.

When they’re ready, grasp the green tops and pull the radishes out carefully. Remove the leaves, leaving about an inch of stem attached to the root to prevent moisture loss during storage. Freshly harvested radishes are at their peak in terms of flavor and crispness. If you have an excess crop, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks, either in a plastic bag or a container with damp paper towels to maintain their crispness.

Properly harvested and stored radishes are a delightful addition to salads, snacks, and various culinary creations. We love to harvest the radishes as we need them instead of all at once.

Best Tips for Growing Radishes

Here’s a list of the best tips for growing radishes:

Choose the Right Season: Plant radishes in early spring or fall when temperatures range between 45-85°F (7-29°C) for optimal growth.
Select the Ideal Location: Pick a sunny spot with well-drained, loose soil rich in organic matter, and ensure a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0.
Proper Spacing: Space radish seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows separated by 6-12 inches to allow room for root expansion.
Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist, watering when the top inch becomes dry, but avoid waterlogging.
Sunlight Requirements: Provide at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for healthy radish growth.
Fertilize Wisely: Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer before planting, but be cautious of excessive nitrogen that can lead to leafy growth.
Pest Prevention: Protect your radishes from common pests like aphids and flea beetles using row covers or natural predators.
Companion Planting: Consider planting radishes alongside compatible crops like carrots, spinach, lettuce, or peas to deter pests and maximize garden space.
Prompt Harvest: Harvest radishes when they reach about 1 inch in diameter, typically within 3-4 weeks of planting, to prevent them from becoming woody.
Storage: If you have an excess crop, store radishes in the refrigerator for a few weeks, removing the leaves and keeping them in a plastic bag or container with damp paper towels for freshness.

Common Radish Problems and Solutions

Pest Infestations (Aphids, Flea Beetles, and Root Maggots): These pests can damage radishes by feeding on the leaves or tunneling into the roots. To address this, use row covers or introduce natural predators like ladybugs to keep pest populations in check. For root maggots, practice crop rotation to reduce their presence in the soil.

Cracking: Radish roots can crack when they receive uneven or excessive watering. To prevent cracking, maintain consistent soil moisture levels by watering the plants when the top inch of soil dries out. Ensure proper drainage in your garden to prevent waterlogged soil.

Leaf Yellowing (Chlorosis): Yellowing leaves can be a sign of nutrient deficiency, particularly nitrogen. Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer before planting to provide essential nutrients. Avoid over-fertilization, as excessive nitrogen can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of root development.

Spiciness: While some spice in radishes is expected, excessively spicy or pungent radishes may be due to stress caused by high temperatures or lack of water. Plant radishes in the recommended cool seasons and maintain consistent moisture levels to mitigate spiciness.

Bolting (Early Flowering): Bolting occurs when radishes prematurely produce flowers and seeds. This often happens due to exposure to high temperatures. Choose the right planting season, and provide shade during hot weather to prevent bolting. Harvest radishes promptly when they reach maturity to avoid flowering.

Poor Germination: Radish seeds may fail to germinate if the soil is too compact or if they are sown too deep. To improve germination rates, ensure your soil is loose and well-drained, and plant the seeds at the recommended depth of about half an inch.

Diseases (Fungal Issues, such as Downy Mildew and Powdery Mildew): Fungal diseases can affect radishes, causing spots or powdery growth on the leaves. Use disease-resistant radish varieties and practice proper spacing to improve air circulation, reducing humidity levels. Apply organic fungicides if needed, and remove and dispose of infected plant material to prevent the spread of disease. Crop rotation can also help reduce the risk of fungal issues in subsequent plantings.