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

Your comments and tips

02 Nov 09, Pia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to know that if after my radishes have come through and have been picked, will they keep growing or do i need to re sow more every time.
17 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You will need to resow, preferably in a different place to avoid pests building up in the one location.
30 Oct 09, Bushra (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted radishes a few weeks ago and the seeds started to break through pretty much immediately. They have now refused to come out properly. I can see a little bit of withered leaves almost in the ground. What am I doing wrong?
04 Oct 09, Jeremy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As a good story about radish.... I live in south-west Brisbane... planted in early August and thinned out 3 weeks later... they were ready in another 3 weeks. Originally put blood and bone in well turned soil, kept them well watered. I still found some of them split though but not sure why but the rest were huge. Pity I don't eat them, gave most away and the rest went on the compost heap.
02 Sep 09, dan (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
How long does it take for radishes to seed?
29 May 09, Stefan (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Maybe a tip from the Bavarians: slice the radish thinly and sprinkle with salt. This will neutralise the bitter taste, and the salt will wash out with the liquid. You will need about a tea spoon of salt per 300mm (=foot) of radish. The connoisseur will do ONE spiral cut along the whole length of the radish with about 1mm pitch.
17 Apr 09, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Interesting what Robert said. I even spoke to yates and they told me to go easy on the liquid fertiliser/Nitrogen and appy a sprinkle of Superphosphate between the rows but this has made no difference whatsoever. Are we justing getting crap seed growing stock these day?.............because I grew radish as a kid and never had these problems as I would just dig up the ground and stick seeds in and they would grow just fine. What about sunlight? Surely other people here with same problem can't have their garden in a spot that doesn't get enough sun!?
25 Mar 16, Sustainable Susan (Australia - temperate climate)
Have you tried checking the composition of your soil?
21 Mar 09, Klaudia (Australia - temperate climate)
my radish leaves are turning yellow - what could be the reason?
06 Mar 09, Robert (Australia - temperate climate)
As a commercial grower of radish (primex), I always remember the advice given to me many years ago, that being to never fertilise radish. As radish is one of the fastest growing vegetables, too much fertiliser causes the leaves to outgrow the root. Long leaves have no shelf life, just look in your local supermarket. I actually apply a VERY light application of Nitrophoska Blue which gives the leaves a beautiful velvety texture. I pick the radish when they are the size of a ten cent piece and leaves about four inches long. One of the great pleasures of my life is washing the bunches of radish and packing them in boxes of thirty for sale knowing that some-one is going to enjoy eating them as much as I enjoy growing them.
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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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