How to Grow Radishes in the UK

Part of the mustard family, radishes are a great crop for gardeners of all levels. They’re easy to sow, don’t take up much space, and can be ready to eat in as little as four weeks. Radishes come in all shapes and sizes and taste great in salads, sandwiches, soups and stir-fries. Their fab, fiery flavour is matched by the fact that they’re packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

So, how do you grow radishes, and how long do radishes take to grow? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to cultivate healthy radish plants in your allotment or garden.

For a successful spring or summer harvest, choosing the right variety of radish is crucial. Not only do radishes taste great and grow quickly, they also add a splash of vibrant colour to your garden beds. When you think of radishes, the small, round red one that usually springs to mind is the Cherry Belle. But there are others, with equally great names, including the French Breakfast – which is slightly longer with a crisp, peppery flavour – the Scarlet Globe, and the Sparkler.

There’s also a few winter radishes to choose from, including the spicy Black Spanish Round, the pink-skinned China Rose, and the daikon, interchangeably called mooli, a mild-tasting, long white radish which is often a staple in Asian cuisine.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at how to grow a radish plant.

If you don’t have much outdoor space, you can grow radishes in containers. Here’s how to do it:

Choosing the Right Container
Select a pot that’s at least 15 cm (6 inches) deep with drainage holes at the bottom. A wider container allows you to grow more radishes, but make sure it’s deep enough for the roots to develop. You can also use window boxes or rectangular troughs.

Preparing the Soil
Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter. Radishes like fertile, loose soil, which helps the roots to expand easily without being obstructed.

Planting the Seeds
Sow your seeds about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) deep and 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart. You can scatter them over the soil surface and lightly cover them, or plant them individually. After sowing, water the soil gently to settle it around the seeds and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. One other tip is to keep your watering schedule consistent. Inconsistent watering may cause the roots to split.

Ideal Growing Conditions
Put the pot somewhere that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Radishes thrive in cooler temperatures between 10°C and 18°C, (50°F to 65°F) making spring, early summer and the start of autumn the best times to plant them in the UK. If you’re growing radishes during warmer months, provide partial shade to prevent bolting.

FYI – bolting is a natural process that occurs when plants produce seeds and a flowering stem before they’re fully mature, redirecting their energy away from the leaves and roots.

If you find weeds growing, get rid of them as quickly as you can because they’ll compete with your radishes for nutrients.

Harvesting
Check the size by gently pulling back some soil, and if your radishes have grown to the size appropriate to the variety you’ve planted, they’re ready to eat!

How do you grow radishes in the UK? Actually, it’s very easy. The only real difference to growing them in pots is your preparation of the planting site. Clear the area of large stones, weeds and debris, and work in compost or well-rotted manure to enhance the soil’s fertility. Sow the seeds about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) deep and 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart directly into well-drained, fertile soil. While radishes can grow in a range of soil conditions, they seem to perform best in soil that’s slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0 – 7.0).

Harvesting your radishes from the garden is the same as harvesting them from pots. Scrape back some soil and again, if they’re at the size appropriate to the variety you’ve planted, you can take them out of the ground, wash them and eat them!

This is the best bit! Radishes are known for being rapid growers and some of the early varieties are ready to eat in as little as three to four weeks. The midseason radishes can take a little longer, up to four to six weeks, and the bigger ones, like daikons, need a little more time, usually around ten weeks.

We’ve answered the question ‘how do you grow radishes’ but how can you protect and look after your plants? As we’ve mentioned, regular, consistent watering is important, and mulching can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Protecting your radishes from common pests like slugs, snails, cabbage root fly larvae and flea beetles is important to ensure a healthy crop. Organic methods such as handpicking pests or using barriers like a net or a fleece can be effective.

So, we’ve explored each step of how to grow radishes. Along the way, we’ve given you information on how to grow radishes in pots in the UK as well as ra-dished out some tips on their upkeep and care. We hope you’ve found it veggie useful!