Growing Radishes – Quick Tips on How to Grow Radishes

While most beginning gardeners like to start gardening with tomatoes, we think that radishes could be a better starting crop for many. Let’s take a look at growing radishes, and some tips on how to grow radishes.

Radishes are a good crop because they can tolerate many conditions. They can be started up 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, and are reasonably tolerant of frost conditions. Most have a relatively shallow root system, so can be successfully grown in containers.

While they tolerate many soil conditions, the seeds are relatively small and should be planted at about 1/2 inch. Be sure to have the soil worked so there are not large clumps covering the seeds, or use a fine potting mix to cover the seeds for germination. Thin to a spacing of 2-3 inches. Since they can be planted so close together, they are excellent candidates for many of the more intensive planting techniques, like wide row planting, raised garden beds, or square foot gardening techniques. If you’re not familiar with the types of radishes you might like, try one of the radish blends. You get a nice mix and the maturity dates are a little staggered so the harvest stretches out.

Radishes mature quickly (20-40 days), and are gone almost as quickly, so if you want to have radishes available for more than a couple of weeks then consider staggering your plantings. They germinate quickly, usually 3 to 10 days.
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The biggest problem for radishes is hot temperatures, they don’t thrive when the air temperature is above 75 degrees, quickly going to seed or turning pithy. If you are in an area where the summers are hot, some shade like an agricultural netting or planting on the east side of the house can help. They are relatively shade tolerant, only needing about 6 hours of sunshine to thrive.

Radishes need the usual 1 inch of water a week. Radishes are also light feeders, so a single application of a slow release or organic fertilizer at planting time may be enough.

Harvest your radishes once they get to a usable size, don’t wait for them to grow large as they get pithy or spongy if left too long. The harvest period will only be 1-2 weeks, so enjoy. You can store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks if kept in some type or airtight container or bag.