All about growing Radish from seed

Growing Guide

Radish are easy to grow and make a tasty addition to salads, or a crisp and crunchy snack on their own. There are many different types of radish to choose from, both summer and winter varieties. Radishes are great to grow from seed as they're quick to germinate and are ready to harvest within a couple of weeks.  Unlike many root vegetables, radishes cannot be left in the ground, as doing so will cause them to become tough and woody.

Radishes grow well in most soils, but prefer rich, moist free draining soils.

Sow seeds very thinly 1cm deep in drills 15cm apart. Thin out the seedlings to 4cm as necessary. Sow at regular intervals from spring through summer in well cultivated soil.

Keep the radish beds moist, but not soaked. Watering radishes frequently and evenly will result in quick growth; if radishes grow too slowly, they will develop a hot, woody taste.

  • Key Information

    Height: to 15cm

    Spread: to 10cm

    Hardy annual

    Sun or semi-shade

    Germination: 5 - 10 days

    Harvest: from 4 weeks

  • Sowing & Growing Schedule

    Sow Outdoors: March to September

    Harvest: May to November

  • Varieties we recommend

    French Breakfast

    Malaga

    China Rose

    Hailstone
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Top Tip

Because radishes grow so quickly, you can "inter-crop" them between slow-growing vegetables. Radishes also work well as companion plants, because they keep a lot of the bugs away from plants. Plant them alongside carrots, parsnips, and cabbages.

Radishes are typically ready to harvest when their roots are about 2.5cm in diameter. To harvest, lift the entire plant out of the ground using a small trowel.

Unlike many root vegetables, radishes cannot be left in the ground, as doing so will cause them to become tough and woody. However, many gardeners leave radishes which being to go to seed in the ground and enjoy their seed pods which are also edible.

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