The best time to plant radish is from early April through early May for a spring crop and for a fall crop, it should be planted in August through September; August 1 through September 1 preferably.
1) Summer Planting for Winter Radishes
Certain radish species are best planted when they will be ready for a winter harvest. Such radish species include China rose radish and Rama hybrid which are Daikon radishes.
These species of radish should be planted from the middle of summer through the season’s end. They mature slowly most often and can take up to 70 days to mature. However, they are quite larger than other species and can be stored for longer as well.
2) Early Spring Radishes
Some radishes should be planted early in the spring and then, harvested later in the season. These radishes should be planted one week before or after the last frost. Examples of radishes under this category include Easter egg and cherry belle varieties.
3) Summer Planting for Summer Radishes
Radishes are cool-season crops that are well suited to cool weather and climates. However, certain late-maturing varieties, such as the French breakfast radish, can be planted and harvested in the summer.
Note that radishes grown in the summer may be stronger in taste and also, more pungent so, it is best to plant them earlier in the summer like June. At such period, the temperature is cooler and thus, it avoids the strong heat of July and August.
4) Radish Plant Growing and Harvesting Tips
When preparing your soil for growing your radishes, do not apply fresh manure and organic materials or fertilizers having high amounts of nitrogen. This is because if the soil is too rich, it will encourage lush foliage at the expense of crisp, tasty roots.
When your radish seedlings are about two inches tall, you should thin them to three-inch spacing. If you do not thin your radish plants, they could turn out to be shriveled, inedible roots.
Your radishes should be mulched with compost enriched with wood ashes. Doing this does not only keep root maggots at bay as it also aids the soil in retaining moisture which could mean the difference between perfect and pitiful radishes.
Apply adequate water. If the soil is too dry, it can make the radishes bolt and become pithy. Not only that, it can make it too pungent to eat. However, if it’s also too wet, the roots will end up splitting and rotting. Thus, water adequately but not excessively.
Radishes have certain pests and diseases which can be controlled. Root maggot is the worst pest of radish patch and this pest can easily be prevented by practicing crop rotation. Take note of the fact that radishes should never be planted in a bed which contained a Cole crop in the last three years.
Radishes are fast-growing plants and so, should be checked frequently and harvested once mature. If left in the ground for too long, they can become woody or pithy. If you do not need all the radishes at once, you can store them in plastic storage bags and stick them into the refrigerator.
If you end up harvesting your radishes late and some radishes have bolted before you had the chance to harvest them, leave a few of them to develop seed pods. These seedpods can be used in salad and they are quite tasty.
Conclusion
This article has served as a guide to when you should plant your radishes. In addition, when sowing your radish seeds, sow them in moist, well-drained soil and when they are a week old, thin out your radishes to create an inch space between each plant.
