How to Grow Radish
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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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🌿 Plant Overview
☀️ Growing Requirements
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Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
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Water
Regular (keep moist)
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Spacing
2" apart
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Depth
0.5" deep
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Height
6-12"
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Germination
3-7 days
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Common Radish Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Cherry Belle
Round, bright red radish that matures in just 22 days; the classic spring radish.
French Breakfast
Elongated red-tipped radish with milder flavor and crisp, white interior.
Watermelon (Shinrimei)
Chinese daikon with green exterior and stunning magenta-pink interior; mild and sweet.
Daikon
Long, white Japanese radish used fresh, pickled, or cooked; much larger and milder than spring types.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
Common Radish Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Tiny beetles make hundreds of small holes in leaves; seedlings can be badly damaged.
Use row covers immediately after sowing; apply diatomaceous earth; sow densely and sacrifice outer rows.
Fly larvae tunnel into roots, leaving rusty tunnels and stunting plants.
Use row covers from sowing; delay planting spring radishes until after peak fly emergence.
Diseases
Yellow patches on leaves with gray spores beneath; common in cool, wet springs.
Improve airflow; avoid overhead watering; rotate with non-brassica crops.
Interior of roots turns gray-black from Aphanomyces fungus; common in wet, acidic soils.
Raise soil pH to 6.5–7.0; rotate crops; use certified disease-free seed.
Common Mistakes
Radishes bolt immediately in heat, going straight to flowers without forming a root.
Sow in early spring and again in late summer/fall; avoid sowing when temps will exceed 75°F.
Radishes go pithy and hollow quickly after reaching mature size.
Check spring radishes starting at day 20–25; harvest when roots reach pencil-width to marble-size.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟢 EasyWhen to Harvest Seed
Let plants bolt and seed pods dry completely on the plant until papery and tan.
Processing
Thresh dried pods to release round seeds, winnow to remove chaff.
Seed Viability
Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Radishes cross readily between varieties and with wild radish — isolate by 1000 feet for pure seed.
Seed Storage Supplies
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Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 36 per sq ft of Radish. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Radish Planting Calendar by Zone
Radish Planting Calendar by State
Other Plants
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Radish? +
Sow Radish seeds directly in the garden 6 weeks before your last frost date. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your location.
How long does Radish take to grow? +
Radish typically matures in about 25 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Radish indoors or direct sow? +
Radish does best when direct sown outdoors. Plant seeds directly in the garden at the appropriate time based on your local frost dates.
How much sun does Radish need? +
Radish requires full sun to partial shade to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Radish? +
Space Radish plants 2 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Radish need? +
Radish has regular (keep moist) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Radish? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Radish is rated easy. Let plants bolt and seed pods dry completely on the plant until papery and tan. Thresh dried pods to release round seeds, winnow to remove chaff.
How long do Radish seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Radish seeds remain viable for up to 5 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Radish seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Radish is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Radish
Fast-maturing root crop perfect for beginners. Great for marking rows of slow-germinating seeds.
Expect your Radish to be ready for harvest in approximately 25 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.