Radishes (Raphanus sativus) impart a spicy, peppery
flavor and crunchy texture to salads. They provide a decorative accent on
relish trays. When cooked, they maintain their flavor and texture, making
radishes an excellent addition to roasted root vegetable medleys. Plus, growing
radish plants is one of the easiest vegetables that gardeners can cultivate.
How are Radishes Grown?
Radishes
are generally grown from seed and require a loose soil for proper root
formation. Composted manure, grass and leaves can be added to improve soil
fertility. Removing rocks, sticks and inorganic debris from the planting site
is recommended.
Radishes grow best in cool weather and consistently moist
soils. Heavy rains can compact soil and form a hard crust on the surface which inhibits
root formation. On the other hand, drought stress makes radishes tough and
alters their mild flavor.
How to Plant Radishes
Spade or till the soil to depth of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30
cm). Sow seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring or in late
summer for a fall crop.
Plant radish seeds ½ inch (1.25 cm) deep. Space seeds 1 inch
(2.5 cm) apart by hand, with a seeder or use radish seed
tape.
Water lightly to prevent soil crusting and compaction.
Germination takes 4 to 6 days. For a steady harvest, use succession
planting by sowing radish seeds every 7 to 10 days.
The following radish planting tips should also help:
- If the soil becomes crusty, lightly sprinkle the surface with water. Gently break up the surface using your hand or a small cultivator.
- As radish roots reach an edible size, harvest every other one to increase the space between remaining plants.
- Radishes need 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain or supplemental water a week. Water radishes deeply, as they have large taproots and few horizontal roots.
- Growing radish plants in full sun gives the best yields, but radishes can also tolerate light shade.
- Weed or mulch to control weeds.
- Plant several radish varieties for different colors, sizes and flavors.
When are Radishes Ready for Harvest?
Radishes mature quickly with most varieties being ready
for harvest in 3 to 5 weeks. Radishes can be harvested at any usable size.
Smaller radish roots tend to be zestier. As roots mature, they become tougher.
If left in the ground too long, radishes will turn woody.
When radishes near maturity, sometimes the tops of their
swollen roots will begin to emerge from the soil. One way to check on their
progress is to pull up a sacrificial radish plant to see if the roots have
reached a usable size.
To harvest round types of radishes, firmly grasp the foliage
and base of the plant and gently pull the radish root from the soil. For longer
radish varieties, like daikon,
use a shovel or fork to loosen the soil so the root doesn’t break when pulling.
Harvested radishes store well in the refrigerator for several weeks.
