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How to Grow Radish – Step by Step

The radish, Raphanus sativus, is a plant of the Cruciferae family, has its origin in China and is currently found all over the world. Its fruit is a root that is violet on the outside and ice white on the inside. Learn all about how to grow Radish in this article.

In Latin, radish is “radix” or root. The fruit has a spicy flavor that distinguishes it and makes it very special. Its seeds are dark brown circular with a diameter of 5mm.

Radish is highly valued in haute cuisine worldwide to accompany salads and cold dishes such as pickles. It is also used to make soups, stews and in some places for decoration.

The growing cycle of this plant is approximately 3-6 weeks, from sowing to harvest, depending on the variety. According to chemical studies, radish is a source of antioxidants and vitamin C, has anti-inflammatory properties, controls blood pressure, cleanses the kidneys and urinary tract.

When To Grow Radish?

Radish can be grown by direct sowing in the spring and late autumn seasons. For best development, it is advisable to grow radish in wet soil rich in nutrients.

Where To Grow Radish?

The radish plant should be located in places with plenty of light and should receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, although it can tolerate semi-shade.

Radish planting is best in cool climates since temperatures below 54 °F (12º C) do not favor the development of the plant. (Order Seeds Here)

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where to grow radish
Radish Seeds

How To Prepare the Soil?

Preparing the soil for radish cultivation does not require much care, as the plant adapts to all types of soils.

The perfect soil for the growing radish should include deep, clayey, and neutral soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. Learn more about How to Measure Soil pH.

Radish is a plant whose fruit are radishes that grow as roots and if the soil does not provide them with the required nutrients and good moisture then it cannot develop.

The soil for radish cultivation can be prepared in furrows with a distance of 6″ (15 centimeters) between them. The best soils are those containing decomposing organic matter.

About 20 million bacteria and a million fungi usually grow in a handful of soil. Radish requires soil that is free of weeds and undergrowth so that the plant can thrive and absorb all the nutrients it needs.

How Do We Water the Radish?

The radish requires specific care in terms of watering that has to do with maintaining uniform humidity, watering less frequently but thoroughly, watering always at dusk or early in the morning.

Always keep the leaves dry and apply the correct amount of water. The plant requires that the soil always remains moist, but be careful not to produce puddles,

Radish is more sensitive to lack of water than other root vegetable species and during the period close to maturity excess watering should be avoided because this could induce the plant to develop lateral roots.

In addition, if watering is in excess the radish may present diseases, such as rotting or the radish may break. On the contrary, if watering is scarce but its humidity is permanent, its flavor will be more pungent.

watering radish

How Do We Grow a Radish Step by Step?

Radish can be grown directly from seed in a vegetable garden and does not require transplanting, so wherever it is sown it will develop and grow both in soil and in containers.

Growing Radish in Orchard

If the crop is grown in an orchard, it is recommended:

  • Deposit the seeds in furrows 0.4″ to 0.8″ (1 to 2 centimeters) deep, separated by about 2″ (5 centimeters) from each other.
  • Keep a distance between the furrows of approximately 2″ (5 centimeters) in case of sowing in more than one furrow. It is very important to respect these spaces so that the radish has a good root development.
  • Water immediately after sowing, do not allow the soil to lose moisture.

How to Grow Radish in Pot

If you want to grow radish in a pot, follow the steps below:

  • Select pots or containers with a depth of at least 6″ (15 centimeters) and a minimum volume of 33 liquid oz (1 liter).
  • Use a substrate rich in nutrients and with good drainage.
  • Sow the seeds in small furrows 0.4″ to 0.6″ (1-1.5 cm) deep and with a distance of 3″ to 5″ (8-12 cm) between them, depending on the size of the variety.
  • Place the seeds 2″ (5 cm) apart and cover with soil and mix. If they are sown too close together, the radishes will be affected by the high temperatures, and their roots will not grow properly, also altering their flavor.
  • Fertilize the radish 15 days after sowing to provide more nutrients and encourage its growth.

Radish seedlings will emerge approximately 3 days after sowing and the first leaves, cotyledons, will be heart-shaped.

Sometimes, it is necessary to cover the radishes with a little soil once they have grown a little so that they develop better.  Always keep the soil free of weeds.

how to grow radish in a pot
How to Grow Radish in a Pot.

Association Favorable Radish

The association of compatible plant crops produces benefits concerning their separate cultivation, in addition to the use of light, water, and or nutrients.

There are no known favorable associations of radish cultivation with other species, however, this selection will correspond to the horticulturists and specialists in the area to obtain better results.

What Pests and Diseases Attack Radish?

Radish can suffer from diseases caused by overwatering that can lead to rotting and cracking of the radish.

Also, pests and especially aphids and larvae affect the crop. A heavy infestation of caterpillars can kill radish leaves in a couple of days.

In general, it is very important to check the radish crop, once or twice a week, especially the reverse side of the leaves to detect any pests that may present. To combat them, it is recommended to apply water with biodegradable soap or remove the caterpillars by hand.

Harvest Radish

To know if our radishes are ready, we must remove a little soil around the plant to check its size. To get them out of the ground we must take all the leaves and get our radish. If the soil is compressed it can take a bit of work, we can help ourselves with a transplanting shovel. Learn more about When to Harvest Radishes.

We hope that this article on how to grow radish will be of great use to you and that you will have an excellent harvest. We recommend our article on how to plant sweet potatoes.

harvesting radishes

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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