The Ultimate Guide: Growing Radishes From Seed

Spread the love

Growing radishes from seed is surprisingly easy and is highly recommended for beginner gardeners!

Let’s face it, we, as a society, have left the old saying “Patience is a Virtue,” in the dust and exchanged it for instant gratification. Subsequently, any new aged person that decides to plant their first garden, is in for a real challenge. A challenge that, statistically, does not bare fruit..or vegetables! There are so many benefits to gardening and it is a shame to give up so easily!

Although most gardening is “the long game” most radishes can be harvested in 45 days or less! This makes growing radishes even easier, for the not so patient novice gardener. Gratification isn’t “instant” however, compared to most crops its pretty darn fast!

Step 1: When to Plant?

Radishes can be grown in spring, summer AND fall depending on your zone. To check which growing zone you are in click here for the USDA website.

Once you have established which zone you are in, look at the season closest to now. The only time I really do not recommend planting them is in the height of summer, if you are in a warmer zone. If you are set on doing this, even in the heat, or you live in a zone (like me) where early fall is still very hot, you can use shade cloth to cover your crops (I will give more detail on this below).

The most recommended times is early/late spring and early to mid fall.

Step 2: Selecting Your Seeds

Heirloom Vs. Non Heirloom Seeds

Good rule of thumb: buy seeds that are labeled “heirloom.” Seeds that are not heirloom, generally do not produce a plant that has fertile seeds. You will likely not be able to use the seeds from your radishes, to grow in the next season, if you did not buy the heirloom variety.

Radish Seed Variety Selection

The types of radishes are endless and come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. The flavoring can be drastically different as well. It is important to note that each type of radish is recommended to be grown in a certain season. Be sure to check the varieties you have chosen to make sure they are agreeable to the season you are planting.

I recommend selecting multiple types that can be planted in succession (take 3-4 varieties and plant new ones every 2-3 weeks instead of all at one time). New culinary option doors will open you will have a steady harvest for multiple weeks, instead of all at once.

I ordered a variety pack from Amazon that included twelve different types and I am very happy with it! Here it is if you’d like to get the same ones!

Step 3: Preparing Your Soil For Radish Seeds

Growing radishes from seed can be done in deep containers, raised beds or directly in the ground. Regardless of which once you choose, prepare the soil prior to planting your seeds.

Mix in aged compost, enough to lightly change the color of your soil (you can buy from Home Depot/Lowes, garden store or even easily make your own from household and yard waste!)
Loosen the soil at least 6 inches
- Optional: Mix in pre garden fertilizer. You can mix in store bought (I prefer this organic kind) or if you have chickens or rabbits you can mix in manure. If you mix in chicken or store bought fertilizer that is not slow release, make sure to wait to plant your crops for at least 1-2 weeks
Create rows by mounding up the loosened dirt a couple inches high (do not do this if putting them in pots)
For sandy soil, press down on the top of the rows to make them more solid
Soak the dirt so that it goes all the way through

Now you are ready to plant your radish seeds!

Step 4: Extra Supplies Needed

(Skip this step if you are not planting in a very hot early fall or hot late spring)

Shade Cloth Hoops

Growing radishes from seed can be difficult in extreme climates. Radishes prefer cooler climates to thrive and unfortunately, in the hotter climate zones, this can make things a little difficult for early fall crops! This year in Georgia, our September days were still in the 90s! Not ideal for radishes and I did not want to wait till it cooled down enough! (likely not until November!)

The solution for this is simple, shade cloth and some hoops. Nothing fancy, just something to keep the sun from burning them alive!

Here’s What You Need

How to Install Shade Cloth Hoops

Once the seeds are planted, put enough hoops in the ground over the rows to evenly distribute the shade cloth.

Next, attached the end of the unrolled cloth to the first hoop with the clips (I use 3 on each hoop), leaving enough cloth to easily close the gap at the end.

Slowly unroll the cloth all the way to the last hoop and cut the extra off, leaving the same amount at the end.

Return to the first hoop and stretch the cloth, evenly and as straight as possible, to the second hoop. Clip the cloth in place and repeat all the way until the last hoop.

Use rock or another heavy object to hold down the cloth at the end.

Step 5: Planting Your Radish Seeds

Now that the soil is prepared and the rows have been made, it is time to plant the radish seeds!

Radishes need about 2″ of spacing between each plant and it is recommended to plant the seeds 1″ deep. Some varieties require different spacing and depth. Be sure to check the instructions for your varieties before planting!

For long rows: I recommend making a 1″ deep trough type hole all the way across the row and scattering the seeds in it. Once the seedlings pop up, thin them out to 2″ apart.
For short rows and pots: If garden space is limited and the number of radish seeds you are planting is small, make individual 1″ deep holes that are spaced at least 2″ apart from each other. Plant 2 seeds in each hole to ensure germination.

Water lightly in order to not wash away your seeds!

Seedlings can pop up in as little as 2-3 days!

Next Steps: Growing Radishes Weeks 1-2

After the seeds have been planted, the next 4-5 weeks (depending on the variety) are relatively easy!

Water thoroughly every day.

Actively watch for seedlings to pop up and remove any that are spaced less than 2″ apart.

Once seedlings are established (about 1-1.5 weeks), reduce watering to three times a week. A total of 1″ of water per week is needed to support your crops.

Be sure to check for and pull any weeds that pop up. Weeds steal nutrients from your plants.

Next Steps: Growing Radishes Weeks 3-4

At the beginning of the third week, large radish leaves should be forming and getting taller and bushier.

Fertilize: Now until harvest, a weekly fertilizer delivered through watering is strongly recommended. This helps the overall growth and will ensure a better harvest!

Keep Removing weeds

Be on the look out for radish “shouldering.” Shouldering is when the top of the radish plant peaks through the dirt. Typically, this signals it is ready to be harvested!

Water 3x a week to ensure the plants are getting 1″ of water a week

Harvest

Be sure to check your variety’s instructions on exact time frame to expect to harvest your radishes. Typically, you can harvest most radishes between 30-45 days.

If they have not popped up yet but the leaves are very big and the right amount of time has passed, simply move some dirt away from the top of the plant and see if the top of the root can be seen. If it can be seen and it looks to be large enough for harvest, pull it up!

What to Do With Radishes

Now that you have learned how easy growing radishes from seed can be, you can cook them and preserve them in so many different ways! Once you have tried different varieties and selected your favorites, the following year grow enough to preserve!