Radish- White Icicle

How to Grow Radish from Seed

Family: Brassicaceae
Binomial name: Raphanus sativus
Life Cycle: Annual

When to Sow Radish Seeds

Radishes can be grown year-round in most climates. Avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather which can affect germination and growth. Use the table below to identify the best time of year to sow radishes in your climate.

Preparation

Radish plants are best grown in full sun. Choose a location that will receive at least 6 hours of full sun each day.

Radish plants need a loose, well drained soil enriched with organic matter. Prepare soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to at least a spade’s depth to loosen the soil, and adding aged animal manure or compost. Organic matter can be dug into heavy soil to lighten it so roots can grow freely. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.

How to Sow Radish Seeds

Radish seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing.

Radish seeds grow best when they are sown directly into the garden.

1. Sow seeds directly in the garden 10mm deep and 5cm apart, with rows 30cm apart.
2. Keep soil moist but never wet or dry.
3. Seeds should germinate in around 3-14 days at a soil temperature of 8-30°C.
4. Young seedlings will need protection from pests, pets and weather until they are established.

How to Grow Radish

Radish plants need regular watering during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface (test this by scratching away a little soil with your finger). Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here.

Optional: To give plants room to grow, thin seedlings when they are large enough to handle. Pull out any weak or small seedlings so plants are spaced about 5cm apart.

If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. Fertilising can result in excessive leaf growth at the expense of roots forming. In poor soil use a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus, such as blood and bone, applied at the recommended rate.

How to Harvest Radishes

Radishes should be ready to harvest in approximately 55-60 days.

Roots are ready to harvest when they are large enough to eat, and can be harvested as needed. Harvest individual roots by gently pulling at the base of the leaves, or use a garden fork to lift multiple roots from the soil. Shake off any excess soil and cut the foliage 1-2cm above the top of the root. Store radishes in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge. For longer term storage, radishes can be pickled or fermented.

Leaves are ready to harvest when they are large enough to eat, and can be harvested as needed. Harvest leaves by pinching off the outer leaves, leaving some on the plant for future growth. Eat radish leaves as soon as possible after harvesting. Store leaves short term in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge.

Seed pods are ready to harvest when they are young and bright green and before they appear bumpy. Pull or cut individual pods from the plant. Eat seed pods as soon as possible after harvesting. For long term storage seed pods can be pickled.

Common Problems when Growing Radishes

Like all plants, radish is susceptible to some pests, diseases and other problems. Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing radish plants:

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  Cabbage moth and cabbage white butterfly have white or grey wings with distinctive markings. They lay their eggs on the underside of leaves. Their caterpillars feed on the leaves, creating large holes and sometimes skeletonising the leaves. Use netting to exclude butterflies and moths or decoys to deter them. Pick the caterpillars off the plants or use an appropriate spray in a selective and targeted way. Read more about cabbage moth and cabbage white butterfly here.
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  Bolting is when a plant prematurely flowers and goes to seed. Bolting can be caused by a period of extreme weather. Avoid sowing seed until after the danger of frosts has passed or in very hot weather. Water plants regularly and deeply in hot weather to prevent them suffering heat stress.
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  Split roots are usually caused by inconsistent watering when roots are mature. Water deeply and evenly to keep soil moisture consistent and always take recent or expected rainfall into consideration before watering.
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  Tough roots usually indicate that the roots were harvested too late. Harvest roots when they are young and tender.
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  Small roots can be the result of sowing too thickly or over fertilising. Thin seedlings to give roots adequate space to grow. Do not fertilise plants as this may encourage the growth of foliage at the expense of roots.
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  Forked roots are usually caused by stony or heavy soil such as clay. The roots cannot grow freely in the soil or hit rocks or other obstacles and split into two. Cultivate the soil well before planting, dig in some coarse sand or compost to lighten the soil, or grow round or short varieties suited to heavy soil.