Growing Radish from Seed

Radishes

The word 'radish' is derived from the Saxon, rude, rudo, or reod (ruddy), or from the Sanskrit rudhira, meaning blood, referring to the bright red colour of the vegetable.

Originally from China, radishes reached Mediterranean areas even before Greek times. They are a staple food in Japan and China, where they are often pickled in brine, preserving them for long periods of time.

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Radish Folklore
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Latin Name
Raphanus sativus

Type
Hardy annual or biennial

Site and Soil
Most soils dug well, especially the top 15cm (6in).

Plant to Harvest Time
Summer varieties 3 to 8 weeks
Winter varieties 3 to 5 months

How Many? Radishes
Summer varieties;
0.5 kg (1lb) per 1 metre (3foot) row
Winter varieties;
1 kg (2.2 lb) per 1 metre (3 foot) row

They are an ideal vegetable for the amateur gardener, suited to most soil types, rapidly reaching maturity and extremely happy growing amongst taller vegetables. Radish seed is also very economical.

Radishes are also an excellent way to introduce children to gardening - buy a pack of mixed radish seeds in April, sow them early in the month and radishes in a variety of shapes and sizes will be ready May.

Where To Grow Radishes
Radish variety 'Champion' Radishes like sun, but at the same time like cool conditions. If they are grown in full sun during the summer, they will run to seed or bolt very quickly. For this reason they are ideally suited to as a growing companion to other vegetables such as peas or beans.

The variety to the left is 'Champion'. Very easy to grow, it produces medium-sized ruby-red radishes which are both crunchy and tangy. An excellent choice.

In spring and late autumn when radishes need the sun most, the peas or beans will be short or have been cut down, whereas in the hotter summer months, they will provide welcome shade for your radishes. There is no need to restrict them to being vegetable companions - they will grow equally well amongst deciduous shrubs (such as roses) and annuals (such as sweet peas).

Soil Preparation
Soil conditions for radish are simple; a very well-dug soil to a depth of 15cm (6in) with no stones or fresh compost in it. At the time of digging, add two handfuls of bonemeal per square metre (yard) and work it into the topsoil. The soil preparation should ideally be complete a month before sowing, but it makes very little difference if it is done at sowing time.

When To Sow Radish Seed
Sow small amounts of radish seed but often to ensure a continuous supply rather than a glut at one time - radishes do not keep well in the soil once they are mature. For summer varieties, begin sowing in mid-April and continue at three week intervals to September. Where cloche protection is available, sowing can commence in March. Click here to buy a poly-tunnel or cloche online from our recommended suppliers.

For winter varieties, begin sowing at the end of July at three week intervals to September.

Radish In Containers
Radish are very well suited to growing in containers. They can be sown between other crops which will protect them from the harsh summer sun. They will prefer a loam based compost such as John Innes. Just make sure they are kept well-watered in dry conditions and they will be fine.

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