When to plant
One of the fastest and easiest crops for spring and fall. Sow direct 4–6 weeks before last frost in spring and again 6 weeks before first fall frost. They bolt (go to seed) quickly in warm weather — plant in succession every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.
Soil & site
Radishes grow well in almost any soil but do best in loose, well-drained beds. pH 6.0–7.0. Remove rocks that would cause forking. A quick compost top-dress before sowing is usually all they need for their short growing season.
Feeding
Radishes grow so fast (25–30 days) they rarely need supplemental fertilizer if the soil has reasonable fertility. If growing in very poor soil, a balanced fertilizer at sowing is sufficient.
Common problems
Flea beetles (tiny holes in leaves — use row cover). Root maggots (tunnels in the root — row cover from day one). Hollow, pithy roots mean they were left too long or grew too fast in hot weather. Bolting in heat — radishes are a cool-season crop only.
When to harvest
Most spring radishes are ready in 25–30 days. The shoulder of the radish (visible at soil surface) should be 2–3 cm across. Once at size, radishes left in the ground get pithy, very hot, and crack. Daily checks are important once they're close to mature.
How to harvest
Pull radishes straight out of the ground by their tops — they're shallow-rooted and come out easily. If soil is compacted, loosen with a trowel first. Harvest all radishes in a batch once they're ready, as they all mature at similar times. Trim leaves immediately and refrigerate.
Storage & use
Remove tops and store roots in the refrigerator in water or a sealed bag for up to 2 weeks. Radish greens are edible and can be sautéed — use within 2 days. Radishes don't freeze well raw, but pickled radishes last months in the refrigerator.
Companion planting
Radishes are a great trap crop, luring aphids away from other plants.
Useful for growing radish
A few things that make this one easier — chosen for this plant, not a generic list.
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