How to grow radishes

There are many different types of radish to choose from, both summer and winter varieties. Radishes are great for children to grow from seed as they're quick to germinate and are ready to harvest within a couple of weeks.

How to grow radishes

Sow radish seed direct in a well-prepared seedbed. Thin out seedlings that are growing closely together and water regular in dry conditions. Harvest after three to six weeks.

More on growing radishes:

• How to grow rat's tail radishes
• The best radish varieties to grow
• How to grow radishes from seed

Sowing radish seeds

Sow radishes every few weeks through the summer for a regular supply. Seeds can be sown directly into warm soil, either in beds or in containers and grow bags.

Here, Monty Don demonstrates how to sow radishes as a catch crop while waiting for another crop to grow into the space:

Looking after radish plants

Radishes prefer warm soil and need plenty of moisture for healthy growth, so water regularly. Thin out seedlings if sown close together to encourage individual plants to form roots.

Sometimes radish plants will produce leaves but no roots, in this video Alan Titchmarsh offers some tips for what to do to encourage radish growth.

Harvesting radishes

When thinning radishes, you can add the young leaves to salads as a microgreen. If you're growing them for the crunchy roots, summer radishes should be ready to harvest after about three to six weeks – they'll quickly get woody if left too long in the ground. Winter cultivars can be harvested from November onwards.

Discover more microgreens to grow.

Storing radishes

Eat summer radishes as young roots fresh from picking, but winter radishes such as mooli, can be left in the ground to harvest as needed, or stored in a cool dry place.

Looking for inspiration on how to use your crop? Our friends at olive have curated a delicious collection of radish recipes, including their new potato and radish salad with aïoli.

Radishes: problem solving

Young radish leaves are a magnet for slugs and snails, so put protection in place after sowing seeds.

The leaves can also be affected by flea beetle – look for holes in leaves. The best method of prevention is to grow under horticultural fleece. Also add fertiliser as strong plants will be more able to fend off pests.

Organic tip

Grow radishes in between rows of other, slower growing crops – your row of radishes will help to suppress unwanted weeds.

Radish varieties to try

• 'French Breakfast' – RHS AGM, a popular summer radish with cylindrical red and white roots
• ‘Diana’ – spherical, purple and white variety
• ‘Ping Pong’ RHS AGM – round, white roots, slightly milder in flavour
• ‘April Cross’ – long white roots up to 30cm long, known as Japanese Mooli, this winter variety is good in salads or stir fries
• ‘Marabelle’ AGM – a small-leaved, bright red, round variety