Radish

Radish Information

Grow radishes in full sun or partial shade. Plant radishes in loose, well-drained soil. Remove soil lumps, rocks, and roots from radish planting beds. Obstructions can cause roots to grow malformed. Add organic matter to planting beds before sowing radishes. Radishes prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Radishes are a cool-weather crop. Sow radishes in the garden 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last frost in spring. Sow succession crops every 2 weeks in spring and in autumn. Two or more crops can be grown in spring. Radishes require 22 to 70 days to come to harvest. Complete the harvest before the weather grows warm.

• Warm weather can result in small roots.
• Long days may also cause radishes to flower; plant radishes during the shorter days of spring and autumn.
• In mild winter regions, grow radishes in late autumn and early winter. Radishes can withstand frost.

Water and Feeding Radishes. Keep radish planting beds moist but not wet. Even, regular watering will result in quick growth. Radishes that receive too little water will become woody tasting. Prepare planting beds with aged compost. Side dress radishes with aged compost at midseason.

Radish Care. Radishes will bolt or go to seed if grown during the long days of summer. Cover plants in midsummer so that they get 8 rather than 12 hours of sunlight. Keep radishes evenly watered so that they grow quickly. Slow growth will cause radishes to taste hot.