Radish

Ready in as little as four weeks. Perfect for filling gaps between slower crops.

Written by Yemi · Last reviewed August 2026

Waiting this month
Great for kids
First sprouts in 7–10 days

Difficulty

Radish

Out of season right now. The next sowing window opens in March.

Growing Calendar

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sow
Transplant
Harvest

This month: Oct

Plan ahead for this crop

  • •Check growing conditions
  • •Prepare for next stage

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

1cm

Spacing

2.5cm

Germination

7–10days

Thinning

Thin to 2.5cm apart after germination

Grower's Note

One of the fastest crops. Sow every 2 weeks from Mar–Aug for a continuous supply all season.

Recommended Varieties

'Scarlet Globe' holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit and is the quick, reliable salad radish most people picture. 'French Breakfast 4' also holds an AGM and can be sown successionally right through summer, useful if you want a steadier supply rather than one glut.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

1wks

Establishing

2wks

Maturing

2wks

Total~5 weeksfrom seed to harvest

This week for your radish

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Water

Every 2–3 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

Flea beetle damages leaves: cover with fine mesh netting from sowing and keep plants well watered to grow quickly through the vulnerable seedling stage

Bolts if left too long: harvest within 4–6 weeks of sowing; radishes left longer turn woody, hollow and very hot

Overcrowding reduces root size: thin to 2.5cm apart promptly after germination for best results

Pests & Problems

Full guide

Flea Beetle

Tiny round holes in seedling leaves

Apr–Jun

Cabbage Root Fly

Wilting despite watering

Apr–Sep

Slugs

Surface holes in maturing roots

Mar–Nov

Organic Gardening

Feed & protect without buying

Feed

Compost at Sowing

Work fine compost into the top layer of soil before sowing. Radishes grow fast and need little else. Overfeeding causes leafy growth.

Pest

Garlic Spray for Flea Beetle

Steep 6 garlic cloves in 1L water overnight, strain, and spray on seedlings. Reapply after rain.

More recipes on the Sustainability pageExplore

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing radish

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Common Questions

About growing Radish in the UK

How quickly do radishes grow?

Summer radishes are the fastest vegetable in the garden, ready in just 4–6 weeks from sowing. Sow a short row every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest from March to September. Winter radishes take longer (8–10 weeks) but are much larger.

Why are my radishes all leaves and no root?

Leafy radishes with poor root development are usually caused by overcrowding (thin to 5cm apart), too much nitrogen in the soil, or sowing in a shaded position. Radishes need full sun and regular watering to develop well-formed roots.

Why do my radishes taste too hot?

Radishes become hot and woody when they mature too slowly in dry or cold conditions, or when left in the ground too long after reaching harvesting size. Harvest promptly: summer radishes become unpleasant if left more than a few days past peak.

Can radishes be grown in containers?

Yes, radishes are ideal for containers and window boxes. Use at least 15cm depth for round varieties. Sow densely, thin to 5cm, and harvest quickly. Their short growing time makes them perfect for repeated container sowings.

Written from real growing experience, organic methods only. Our story · Our approach

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