How to Sow and Grow Radishes

Radishes are one of the easiest and quickest vegetables to grow, making them perfect for both beginner gardeners and seasoned pros. In the UK, you can enjoy fresh radishes nearly year-round by planting both spring and winter varieties. This guide will walk you through the steps to successfully sow and grow radishes in your garden.

 Radish Watermelon

Why Grow Radishes?

Radishes are not only quick to mature, but they also add a delightful crunch and a peppery flavour to salads, sandwiches, and more. Plus, they are packed with vitamins and nutrients, making them a healthy addition to your diet.

Getting Started: General Guidelines

Soil Preparation

• Location: Radishes thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter weather.
• Soil Type: They prefer well-drained, loose soil.  If you are a no dog gardener that is ideal! Heavy, clay soils can impede root growth.
• Preparation: Remove stones and break up any clumps. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility.

Sowing Radish Seeds

• Timing: Radishes can be sown from early spring to early autumn. For a continuous supply, sow seeds every two weeks.
• Spacing: Sow seeds 1 cm deep and 2.5 cm apart in rows spaced 15 cm apart. For larger winter varieties, increase spacing to 10 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart.

Growing Spring Radishes

Sowing and Growing

• When to Sow: Early March to late May.
• Germination: Radish seeds germinate quickly, usually within 3-5 days.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Dry conditions can cause radishes to bolt and become woody.
• Thinning: Thin seedlings to 2.5 cm apart once they are a few centimetres tall to allow space for bulb development.

Harvesting:

• Harvest spring radishes after 3-4 weeks, when they are about 2-3 cm in diameter. Don’t leave them in the ground too long, as they become woody and bitter.

 Radish Fire Candle

Growing Winter Radishes

Sowing and Growing

• When to Sow: Late July to early September.
• Germination: Similar to spring radishes, germination takes 3-5 days.
• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture in the soil, especially during dry spells.
• Thinning: Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart for larger winter varieties.

Harvesting:

• Winter radishes take longer to mature, typically 8-10 weeks. Harvest them before the first heavy frosts. They can be stored in the ground if covered with straw or leaves to protect from freezing.

Additional Tips for Successful Radish Growing

• Weeding: Keep your radish bed free of weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
• Pests and Diseases: Watch out for flea beetles, which can create small holes in the leaves. Use row covers to protect young plants if necessary. Rotate crops each year to prevent soil-borne diseases.
• Successive Sowing: For a continuous harvest, sow radish seeds every two weeks during the growing season.

Enjoying Your Harvest

Radishes are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them raw in salads, pickled, roasted, or even as a crunchy snack on their own. With these simple steps, you can enjoy fresh, home-grown radishes from your garden nearly all year round.

Growing radishes in the UK is a rewarding and straightforward endeavour. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a bountiful harvest of both spring and winter radishes. Happy gardening!

Video – How to Sow and Grow Radishes