How to Grow Radishes

Looking for a simple crop? Grow radishes! They are a great entry-level veggie to try.

Latin Name: Raphanus sativus
Plant Family: Brassica (Brassicaceae)
Cool-season crop

Did You Know?

Radishes are the easiest vegetable to grow because they germinate and mature so quickly. They are a great way to introduce kids to gardening. Radishes are native to China and were introduced to other parts of the world where they became very popular.

Plant Seeds or Seedlings? Direct-sow seeds in the garden.

When: In the spring as soon as the soil is dry enough to work with, or late in the season when temperatures have started to cool down.

Days to Germination: 5 to 7 days

Depth to Sow: 1/2 inch

Spacing: 1 inch between seeds and 6 inches between rows. If you’re growing Daikon or ‘Icicle’ radishes, space the plants 2 inches apart and the rows 12 inches apart.

Days to maturity: 22 to 35

Cultural Information:

Prepare the seed bed. Once the seeds have been planted, keep the soil evenly moist. Radishes grown under hot, dry conditions will tend to be spicier than those grown in the cooler part of the season and with plenty of moisture.

Be sure to pull any weeds that come up as they will compete with the radishes for moisture and nutrients.

Susan’s Picks: ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘Daikon’, ‘Easter Egg’, ‘French Breakfast’, ‘Icicle’, ‘Purple Plum’, ‘Watermelon’

Potential Insect Problems: flea beetles, cabbage root maggots

When to Harvest:

Pick round radishes when they are 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Harvest ‘Daikon’ and ‘Icicle’ while they are young and before they split; use the “days to maturity” information on the seed packet as a rough guide for picking.

How to Cook & Preserve

Radishes make tasty snacks by themselves or as an appetizer with a dip. Add them to salads for a nice crunch and a bit of spice. To keep them fresh for a few days, store radishes in with their roots sitting in a bowl of water. They can also be pickled or fermented.

Back to Vegetable Grow Guide Chart

Copyright: Susan Mulvihill, Susan’s in the Garden, SusansintheGarden.com.