How to Grow Radishes

The perfect vegetable for beginners: growing radishes in the garden or on the balcony

Radishes are really a great vegetable to grow: hardly any other vegetable ripens so quickly. That`s why they are also particularly suitable for (impatient) children, because they germinate in just a few days and soon form a tuber. Four to six weeks later, they delight in salads or on bread. In addition, they can be sown practically all year round - from March to September.

Location

Radishes need a sunny to semi-shady location. They like a normal garden soil, preferably mixed with compost and a little sand. It is best to loosen the soil well before sowing. They can be grown well in the garden bed, but also in the balcony box or container.

Sowing

Radishes are best sown in rows 10 cm apart. If you space the individual plants 4 cm apart, you will not have to prick them out later. Radishes germinate already at temperatures of 12 - 15°C. It is important that you always keep the ground moist (but not wet). If you do not water them enough or if they are planted next to vegetables that need a lot of water, such as pumpkins or cucumbers, they develop a woody texture.

Radishes can be sown from March onwards, preferably in a sunny location or in a cold frame. If you sow in summer, a place in partial shade is better, e.g. between beans, leeks or chard.

Care

It is important to keep the radishes well moist (but not wet). If they are not watered enough or if they are planted next to vegetables that need a lot of water, such as pumpkins or cucumbers, they will develop a woody texture. Otherwise they are very frugal and need little care.

Protection against pests and diseases

It is very important to rotate the location of radishes. They may only be grown in the same place every three years. Otherwise, diseases and pests will increase.
Good neighbours in mixed cultivation are lettuce, spinach, lamb`s lettuce, cress, beans, peas, tomatoes and carrots.

Due to their rapid growth, only a few pests and diseases have time to establish. Common pests are the cabbage fly and cutworm. A fine-meshed net over the young plants protects against them. The leaves can also be affected by flea beetle - look for holes in leaves. They can be kept away by even soil moisture.

Harvest

You can harvest the ripe red tubers after only four to six weeks. They are simply pulled out of the ground by the herb. Wrapped in a damp cloth, they can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

Tip: Radish seeds make really tasty, spicy sprouts. Perfect on cream cheese bread!