Radishes Are Easy to Grow

Gardening Tip of the Day

Radishes are one of the easiest and most rewarding of vegetables to grow in a home garden.

Radishes grow so quickly that children can enjoy planting and harvesting them because they see the results of their work in 3 to 5 weeks depending on the variety. Radishes are often used in science classes because of the short length of time it takes to grow them.

Radishes like cool weather so they do well as one of the first vegetables planted in a spring or fall garden. Radishes can tolerate a light frost.

Summer temperatures are generally too hot to grow good radishes, but there are varieties that do well in the heat of the summer. French Breakfast being one. They do best in partial shade and must be watered almost daily. Even twice a day when temperatures are over 90. F. The radish plants can be covered with row covers held a few inches over the plants to shade the soil and plants from the searing sun.

Plant radishes about one-half inch deep, and 2 to 3 inches apart. Thin if they are closer together. Sow every 10 to 14 days for a continuous harvest.

Since radishes grow so quickly they are bothered by very few pests. Flea beetles can sometimes chew holes in the leaves but aren’t a major problem. A floating row cover can keep the flea beetles away.

Radishes can also be grown in pots and other containers.

For tips on using sheer curtains as row covers read:

Sheer Curtains in the Garden

More information about radishes:

Radishes as Pest Repellent
Radishes Soothe insect Bites
Fun Facts About Radishes
Coffee for the Garden