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 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 1 - 2 inches 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

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26 Feb 09, Val (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I cannot grow radishes. They always end up all tops and nothing underneath. What am I doing wrong as they say any idiot can grown radishes.
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26 Feb 09, KEVIN HERON (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I know its too late now..but when your tomato season begins, purchase a punnet of your favourite tommies.. then when the laterals are about pencil thickness,,intead of pinching them off.. buy a carton of beer (cans) when empty, cut the bottoms off, fill with garden soil, and stick the laterals in..water keep moist and you will get 20/30 tomato plants from one punnet..:) not only do you get loads of your favourite tommies,,!! you also enjoy emptying the cans...
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03 Feb 09, Christopher (Australia - temperate climate)
My problem is same as 08 Dec Paul...even when temp was below 25deg.Have tried poor soil...no fertilizer...but all tops & no roots
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08 Dec 08, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been trying to grow radishes for over 2 months now and I haven't had a single good crop. Either no round radish root at all or a very small pathetic root. What am I doing wrong??
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03 Nov 08, Eugenia (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Does anyone know why some of my radishes are splitting? Only some came out perfect.
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01 Dec 12, Ruth (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
The most likely reason is that you have left them in the ground too long.
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18 Sep 08, Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)
Make sure radishes have enough water and don't let them become too enormous. If they are water deprived or get too big, they can become bitter. From sowing to harvesting, they are one of the quickest growers (if happy...6-8 weeks). They also love a dose of potash.
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07 Aug 08, sal (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how long will it take for the radish seeds to be visible??
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07 Aug 08, amy maloney (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
tips for growing radishes?
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11 Jun 08, Chris (Unknown climate)
Christine, you can probably eat them without harm (they're a brassica), but the leaves are usually covered in prickly hairs, so why you'd want to is the main question - I would rather just eat the radish. You can certainly eat turnip and beetroot leaves, so radish leaves might be ok cooked? Perhaps you can let us know how you go with them?
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Showing 131 - 140 of 144 comments
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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.

- Jeremy

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