How to grow Radish?

The Latin species name means "easily reared," because this is one of the simplest vegetables to grow. It is often one of the first vegetables a new gardener tries and is commonly recommended for children (although most children don't enjoy eating them very much). The main virtue of radishes is that they are quick to grow; some varieties may mature in as little as 3 to 4 weeks.

Radish History

Radishes probably originated somewhere in the eastern Mediterranean over 2000 years ago and spread from there to Europe, Asia and Africa.

Soil Preference

PH (min/max): 5.5 - 6.8
PH Ideal (min/max): 6.0 - 6.3

Radish roots don't go very deep so the ideal soil is loose and well drained, such as a sandy loam. It should also be slightly [acidic].

How to care for Radish?

Radishes are pretty easy so long as you give them basic care, weeding, thinning, and watering.

Radishes must have a steady supply of water for best quality, so keep the soil evenly moist at all times. Too little water can result in woodiness and excessive pungency (such roots are pithy and have marked growth rings). Too much water may encourage top growth at the expense of the roots.

Low nitrogen. Moderate potassium. Moderate phosphorus. Radishes don't need a lot of nitrogen (don't give them fresh manure), but they do like potassium and phosphorus.

Seed Viability: 4 - 5 Years

Germination Percentage: 75.0

Radishes are insect pollinated and will cross with any other variety, so you should grow only one variety at a time (or you could isolate them). They will also cross with Wild Radishes. They could be isolated by caging. Save seed from at least a half dozen plants to maintain some genetic diversity. Gather the ripe seeds from the pods and dry thoroughly.

Sun: min. 6 hours daily

In cool weather Radishes are grown in full sun.

Conditions:Cold, Cool

Season:Short Season, Long Season

Part shade

In warm weather they may beneﬁt from light shade.

Conditions:Warm

Season:Short Season, Long Season

Radishes are a quick crop that is usually eaten fresh. The roots will keep for several weeks in a plastic bag in the fridge.

Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-14 days

Problems

Root too pungent

Too high a temperature (above 70˚ F) may cause the ﬂavor of the root to be excessively hot. Lack of water is another possible reason.

Bolting

Radish is a short-lived annual and will [bolt] when it has built up enough food reserves to produce seed. It may also be stimulated to ﬂower by the long days of summer (another reason they are easier to grow in spring and fall). Crowding and other types of stress may also hasten bolting.

Root is woody

Insufﬁcient water, or high temperatures (above 70˚ F) can cause the roots to be woody or pithy.

Cabbage Root Maggot

[Cabbage Root Maggot] is the big pest of the Radish. In fact they are sometimes planted to lure the little worms away from more valuable Brassicas. This pest is most problematical in spring and late summer.

No root

If a Radish doesn’t produce a swollen root, it is usually because the growing conditions weren’t good enough. It simply wasn’t producing enough food to have a surplus to store in the root and make it swell. This may occur because of competition from neighboring crop plants or weeds, low light levels, growing temperatures that are too high or insufﬁcient water or nutrients.

Radish Types

Daikon

Daikon radishes are a very important crop in Japan, where they make up a quarter of all vegetables grown. The roots get much larger than ordinary Radishes and sometimes reach 3˝diameter and 18˝ long. The plants get much bigger than ordinary radishes, and should be planted further apart (6 - 8").

Specialty

These grow best in cool weather and mature in as little as one month, making them one of the fastest growing plants under good growing conditions. These radishes often come in an array of colors.

Long

These grow best in cool weather and mature in as little as one month, making them one of the fastest growing plants under good growing conditions.

Round

These grow best in cool weather and mature in as little as one month under good growing conditions, making them one of the fastest growing plants.

Pests

Deer
Gophers
Groundhog
Leafhoppers
Slugs and snails
Cabbage Root Maggot
Cabbageworms
Flea Beetle

Diseases

Boron
Scab
Clubroot
Damping Off
Downy Mildew

Get your Garden

What's Smart Gardener ?

The easiest way to plan, grow and harvest your own food....

It's an online vegetable garden planner for anyone who wants homegrown, healthy and tasty food to be part of their lifestyle...while having a busy life.

Find out more...

Join Now

Try it out!
Explore Maggies Garden...