How to Grow Radishes: Growing Guide

Radishes are one of the easiest and fastest vegetables to grow, making them perfect for beginners and kids who want to try their hand at gardening! We love growing radish in our garden because we’ll have a crop to harvest in less than 30 days! This guide will teach you everything you need to know to successfully grow radishes, from planting to harvesting, and even a easy filipino radish side dish!

Quick growing guide for radishes Here’s a handy chart to get you started:

Here are the radish varieties that we recommend to grow:

1. Amethyst: fluorescent purple colour. Good shape and strong medium sized. Ready in 25 days.
2. Cherry belle: classic round, red radish that matures in about 22 days. Perfect for salads!
3. French breakfast: long, cylindrical radish with a mild, crisp flavour. Ready in 25 days.
4. Easter egg: mix of colourful radishes (red, purple, white). Grows in about 30 days.
5. Daikon radish: long white radish that grows best in cooler fall weather. Matures in 60 days.

When to plant radishes

Radishes thrive in cool weather, so plan to grow them in spring (April-May) and fall (August-September). In spring, plant radishes direct as soon as the soil is workable, about 4-6 weeks before the last frost. For fall planting, sow seeds in late summer when temperatures start to cool down.

How to plant radishes

1. Prepare the soil: Radishes need loose, well-drained soil. Remove rocks and clumps to make sure roots can grow straight.
2. Sow seeds: Plant radish seeds ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows. Space rows about 6 inches apart.
3. Cover and water: Lightly cover seeds with soil and water gently to keep the soil moist.

Ideal growing conditions

Radishes are low maintenance, but they still need the right conditions to thrive. Here’s a breakdown:

Sunlight

• Full sun is best (6+ hours a day), but radishes can tolerate partial shade.
• In hot weather, give them some afternoon shade to prevent bolting (when plants flower too early).

Soil

• Radishes love loose, sandy loamy soil. Heavy clay can stunt root growth.
• The soil should have a pH between 5.5 and 6.8 (slightly acidic).

Fertilizer

• Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers (they make leaves grow but not roots).
• Use natural amendments like compost or aged manure.

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Water radishes 2-3 times a week, depending on how hot it is.
• Use a watering can or drip irrigation to avoid washing away seeds.

Growing radishes in containers

Want to grow radishes on a balcony or patio? No problem!

1. Choose a container that’s at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes.
2. Fill it with potting soil mixed with compost.
3. Plant seeds the same way as in the garden (½ inch deep, 1 inch apart).
4. Water regularly and place the container in a sunny spot.

Thinning

• Once seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin them out so they’re about 2 inches apart. This gives the roots room to grow.
• Radishes don’t need pruning, but remove any yellowed or damaged leaves.

Pest and disease control

Radishes are generally pest resistant, but you might encounter these problems:

• Flea beetles: Cover plants with row covers to protect leaves.
• Root maggots: Avoid overwatering, and rotate crops yearly.
• Powdery mildew: Ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting leaves.

Best companion plants for radishes:

• Carrots: Radishes loosen the soil, helping carrots grow straight.
• Lettuce & spinach: These leafy greens benefit from radish’s quick growth.
• Cucumbers: Radishes repel cucumber beetles. Avoid planting radishes near potatoes or cabbages, as they can compete for nutrients.

When and how to harvest radishes

Radishes are usually ready to harvest 20-30 days after planting. Here’s how you know it’s time:

• The radish bulb will peek out of the soil.
• Gently pull up a radish to check its size (about 1 inch in diameter).

Are radish leaves and seed pods edible?

Yes, the root bulbs, seed pods and the leaves are edible. You can eat radish greens raw in salads, sauté them like spinach, or blend them into pesto. The entire plant is safe to eat.

How to store radishes

• Remove the greens (they pull moisture from the root).
• Store radish roots in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• Radish greens should be used within 2-3 days for the best flavour. You can blanch the leaves and freeze for later use too.

Ensaladang Labanos recipe

Try this easy and delicious Filipino radish salad. It’s quick and easy to make!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups radish, thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion or shallot, sliced
• 2 tbsp cane vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• Optional: spicy chili pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix sliced radishes and onions.
2. Add vinegar, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
3. Let it sit for 10 minutes to marinate.
4. Serve as a side dish.

Growing radishes in other zones:

After a long winter, there’s something truly magical about seeing the first hints of green sprouting in your garden. Radishes are one of the first things we grow in the Spring. Their fast growth, vibrant colours, and crisp, peppery flavour make them one of our favourite crops to grow. With just a little care, they reward you with beautiful pops of red, pink, purple, or white in your outdoor space, bringing life and colour back to your garden. 

We honestly cannot wait to kick off our growing season with these delightful little root vegetables! Radishes are a reminder that the simple joys often grow the quickest. Here’s to a season full of lush gardens, delicious harvests, and the gratitude of growing your own food!

Let’s grow and eat more plants! 🌱