Radish plants are annual or biennial vegetables from the Brassicaceae family. They are fast-growing, cool-season crops that are usually grown for their edible root. Radishes are generally bright red, round, and can have a mild to spicy flavor. Radishes grow best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. The plants require full sun and regular watering. Radishes are often grown as a companion plant to other vegetables, such as lettuce, cucumbers, and melons, as they are thought to help deter pests.
Planning Your Garden With Radishes
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Radishes are annual plants. |
| USDA Zone | Radishes are hardy in USDA Zones 2-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Radishes can tolerate temperatures as low as 20. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for radishes is 21 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown radish plant is about 6-8 inches in height and 4-6 inches in diameter. |
| Spacing requirements | Radishes prefer a spacing of 1-2 inches apart when grown in rows. When planting in hills, space plants 4-6 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Radishes can tolerate full sun, but they prefer light to partial shade. In hot climates, they should be planted in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. |
| Shade tolerance | Radishes are considered to be a moderately shade-tolerant crop, meaning they can tolerate some shade but need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce a good yield. |
| Water requirements | Radishes need a consistent supply of moisture to grow well. They should be watered regularly, about 1-2 inches per week, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Avoid over-watering, as this can cause the radishes to become bitter or split. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing radishes depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 should be applied at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet of garden area. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing radishes is 6.0 to 6.8. |
Why Radishes are Popular
People like to grow radishes because they are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and are very nutritious. They are also fast-growing and can be harvested in as little as four weeks, making them a great choice for those who want to enjoy fresh vegetables in a short amount of time. Radishes also have a unique flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes.
Companion Plants For Radishes
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for radishes include:
Common Pests For Radishes
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow radishes, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- cabbage root maggots
- flea beetles
- aphids
- beetles
- cutworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
