Radishes stats/requirements at a glance
| Ease of Raising: | 5/5 – Very easy (plant and leave) |
| Water: | 4/5 – Daily (shallow root system) |
| Sun: | 4/5 – Full sun & shade tolerant |
| Training: | 1/5 – None |
| Fertilise/Feeding: | 4/5 – Every two weeks |
| Time to Harvest: | 2/5 – Soon (1-2 months) |
| Frost Hardiness: | 4/4 – Very Hardy (can’t take black frost) |
| Uses | Culinary |
| Most Problematic Nemesis: | Aphids, heat |
| Container Plant: | Most definitely |
Quick Intro
Radishes are commonly used raw in salads, but I am not too fond of their raw peppery nature. To remove their bite; roast or bake them for a sweet, juicy and crisp root vegetable. Due to their blank taste, you can serve them any way you like with various spices or in soups and stews as part of a whole meal. Considering that they are relatively expensive to buy and nearly fool-proof to grow; one must always have some in the garden. They are small and can be grown as a catch crop or sown in strange awkward places and therefore no additional space is required to grow radishes, simply fill the spaces between existing vegetables.
History
The radish has a somewhat obscure history; its precise origin and wild state are unknown and currently debated. Some records point to the Mediterranean, but with the discovery of wild forms in India, central China and central Asia, it suggests its evolution in southeastern Asia. It has been cultivated by the Egyptians (7000 BC) mostly for its seed oil (48% of the seed). Later it made its way to China (500 BC) and Japan (700 BC) where larger varieties are grown. Radishes are one of the first crops introduced by the Europeans to the Americas.
and
some French beans;
and
then he ate some radishes.”
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
1902
Beatrix Potter
Wikimedia Commons (User: Siawase)
Science Stuff
The radish, Raphanus sativus, belongs to the large family of mostly cool-season vegetables, namely the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae). This includes several cabbage species and root vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, rocket, kale, turnips and kohl-rabi.
Radishes are grown for their swollen tap roots and four main groups are recognized:
| Western/small radish | The radish we are all familiar with, small, red and globe shaped. |
| Oriental radish | A winter grown radish with mild flavor, also known as the Daikon radish. Some can become 50 cm and 20 kg monsters! |
| Leaf radish | Used as animal fodder. |
| Rat-tailed radish | Raphanus sativus (caudatus), are grown in Asia for their young pods. Radish seed oil is used as a potential biofuel. |
Growing Radishes
Radishes come in many different shapes, sizes and varieties. Most radishes can be grown year round in SA, but there are some exclusive summer and winter varieties as well. Radishes are easily raised from seed and germinate quickly within 3-4 days as is common with most cabbage crops. Summer varieties (Raphanus sativus, Reticulata group) can be grown in pots or shallow soil as they are small and the roots grow close to the surface. They thrive in hot sunny weather with good watering to keep them cropping. For a constant supply; sow at two-weekly intervals.
Radishes are ready for pulling in 3-5 weeks making them the one of the fastest crops in the garden. Make sure not to leave them longer in the ground than what is necessary else they go woody, hollow and lose their flavour. Summer cultivars include the French breakfast, long white icicle, scarlet globe and cherry-belle. All are small globular, red roots, except for the icicle (which has a fierce bite 
– you have been warned!).
Raphanus sativus
Winter radishes (Raphanus sativus, Longipinnatus group), such as the Daikon, need deep fertile soil (which was manured for the previous crop). The root can store well over winter without becoming hollow, but can be planted year round. Due to their size, they will take longer to mature. Winter cultivars include Black Spanish, China rose and Daikon.
Rapahanus sativus
Other Radish Tips
Some dappled shade can be provided to radishes that wilt in extreme heat. Hill up ground or mulch around the base of the root once it starts protruding out of the ground to prevent the strong sun from wrinkling its shoulders (a similar phenomenon in beets and carrots known as ‘green shoulders’, thus all root veg require their shoulders to be covered).
Aphids and other small pests may be a problem when the radishes become stressed, but generally they are trouble free and don’t spend enough time in the ground for pests to accumulate. Else you can use one of my environmentally friendly pest controls recipes.
Harvesting & Storing
Radishes pull easily from the ground once they are about the size of a golf ball for the small globed varieties. You can store them in a jug of water in the fridge for 2-3 days, but they are best used fresh.
Seed Collection & Storage
Radishes have perfect flowers that are white, pink or purple. They are self-incompatible and require cross-pollination by insects. They are able to cross with other brassica species, except with cabbages and Brassica oleracea (Kohl-rabi) crops.
Raphanus sativus var. hortensis raphanistroides
Once the pods are dry you can collect them and rub them to release the seeds. If soil borne disease is a problem you can hold the seeds at 50oC (122oF) for 15 minutes. The seeds are viable for 5 years when stored in a marked glass jar. Radish seeds germinate in a wide range of temperatures, 7-32oC (45-90oC) at a minimum of 4oC (40oF) and are therefore suitable for both winter and summer germination.
Raphanus sativus
My radishes
- Sparkler from Stark Ayres: A small globular red and white radish, which can be grown during the summer or winter. For the seed packet info, see here.
Raphanus sativus
Whisker Flowers 
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