How to Grow Radish Plants
Instructions for Growing Radish Plants
in Your Vegetable Garden
| Nutrition | Watering Instructions | Harvesting |
| Climate | Fertilizing Instructions | Storage |
| Soil | Challenges | Tips |
| Planting |
*** EASY TO GROW ***
Radishes grow in a variety of shapes and lengths, depending upon the variety you select. It is best to grow this vegetable in cool gardening periods as radishes tend to go to seed quickly in hot weather.
Also, growing radish plants during the hot summer months makes them very hot in flavor (while too hot to enjoy as a snack, they can be substituted for horseradish at that point in use.).
NOTE: Growing radish plants makes for a great gardening project for kids, as it's easy to grow, relatively problem free, and has a short growing cycle!
Gardening Tip for growing radishes - Consider reviewing the companion planting guide when picking a location for growing radish plants in your garden.
How to Grow Radish Plants - Nutrition Information
Under optimal growing conditions, radishes offer: Dietary Fiber, Chromium, Manganese, Riboflavin, Vitamin C, B6, Calcium, Magnesium, Folate, Copper, Potassium
How to Grow Radish Plants - Climate & Growing Conditions
Growing Radish plants can be done in nearly any climate. However, they need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, or you'll likely have all radish tops and no root bulbs.
How to Grow Radish Plants - Preparing the Garden Soil
Plant your radish garden in a shady, moist location. Growing radish plants works best in a spot that has been prepared with a fertilizer, compost, or well-rotted manure in the previous season (or for a previous crop).
The secret to success in growing radish plants is to have fine, rich, friable (loose and crumbly) garden soil. This allows the roots to grow quickly, providing the best texture and flavor. Rake the soil several times to break up clumps. The ideal garden soil pH for radishes is between 6.0 and 7.0. (Instructions for testing your garden soil pH level)
How to Grow Radish Plants - Planting
When growing radish plants, we recommend not planting a large radish crop all at the same time (unless you're gardening for profit and can dispense large quantities of radishes quickly).
It's far better to plant small crops of radishes every 2 weeks. This way you keep a constant supply of fresh radishes at their peak in taste for your family.
Plant radish seed in the garden as soon as the garden soil can be reasonably worked. Plant them very shallowly in the garden soil, only ¼” deep, 1/2" appart, with 6" between rows. You should expect to see seedlings appear in about 2 weeks. Once you see a 2nd set of leaves, thin the plants to 2” apart, so they have plenty of room to grow (they don't like to be crowded!)
Gardening Tip for Growing Radishes - Radishes grow quickly, so they can be placed among other slow growing vegetables to save space (see companion gardening). Lettuce is a favorite for companion gardening with radishes.
How to Grow Radish Plants - Watering
Keep soil moist but not soggy during the growing stage.
Note: if you experience a dry (or hot) spell, be sure to keep your radish crop well watered, and shaded if possible.
How to Grow Radish Plants - Fertilizing
Radishes perform best in a garden bed that was previously fertilized for another crop. If that's not available, dig in a complete fertilizer and/or compost as far in advance as possible.
Once the radish seedlings are established, you can feed the soil around the plants with a dose of liquid fertilizer every week.
Note: Too much fertilizer makes for a lot of leaves, and disappointingly small roots.
How to Grow Radish Plants - Gardening Challenges
Young radish seedlings can be a favorite snack for birds. Protect them by lightly covering with a fine mesh netting or cheesecloth, supported on sticks, string or structure so that they're suspended off the plants.
How to Grow Radish Plants - Harvesting
Harvest radishes by lifting from the ground, when they're of a size that's palatble to you. The younger the plant, the sweeter the flavor.
Note: Don't leave radishes in the ground too long (or in hot weather) or you'll find that they get bitter, woody and have a hot flavor.
How to Grow Radish Plants - Storage
Radishes don't store well for extended periods of time, nor do they freeze or dehyrdate well. It's best to pick them as needed and use them fresh. They will store for a period in your refrigerator's crisper. Trimming the greens from the top can extend their life in your crisper.
Gardening Tips From Our Readers
Have a helpful gardening tip (or even a fun story) to share about growing radishes?
Share it with your fellow gardeners at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
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Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study. As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.