How to Plant Radish Seeds

Radishes are one of the quickest growing root vegetables, being ready for harvest within 20 days. This makes it possible to grow several crops throughout the season. They can also be planted near other slower growing root vegetables such as carrots, making them an edible row marker. Planting radish seeds is simple, as they are not a picky plant and will grow in most soil conditions that are found in a vegetable garden, though a fertilizer formulated for vegetable gardens will benefit them.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hoe
• Radish seeds
• Fertilizer
• Water

1. Choose a variety of radish seed for your climate and season. Spring radishes can be planted from the first thaw until mid-spring. Late-maturing varieties can be planted from late spring until early summer. Winter varieties are planted late summer and will winter in the garden until spring harvest.

2. Work the soil to loosen it with a hoe and remove any large rocks. Hard soil and rocks will stunt the root growth.

3. Plant radish seeds 1/2 inch below the surface after the ground has thawed. Alternately, broadcast the seeds lightly over a larger area. Plant in full sun.

4. Add vegetable fertilizer to the planted area after sowing the seeds. Water daily so that the soil remains moist.

5. Thin the seedlings to 2 to 3 inches apart. Keep the area weeded. Weed roots will block radish bulb development and steal nutrients from the soil.

6. Harvest once radishes are big enough for the table, approximately 20 to 30 days after planting depending on the variety.

Tips & Warnings

• Sow a second crop of seeds 14 days after the first crop is planted to have radishes all summer long.
• Root maggots are the biggest enemy to radish crops and will require planting in a new location next time or an application of a soil insecticide before planting in that location again.

References

• University of Illinois Extension Office