4 Common Radish Growing Problems and What to Do About Them (2024)

FAQs

Why do my radishes keep dying? ›

If your radish plants become wilted and appear weak with yellow leaves combined with oval, red blotches at the stem base and roots with red streaks, you probably have a case of Rhizoctonia or Fusarium root (stem rot). This fungal disease thrives in warm soil. Rotate crops and plant disease free plants.

Radishes prefer full sun but grow well in part shade too and in hot climate will prefer full shade in the height of summer. Keep the soil moist and you'll be rewarded with clusters of mildly peppery roots in next to no time.

Radishes are susceptible to temperature. If the soil temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, radish seeds will not germinate. Radish seeds germinate best between the temperatures of 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Radishes do best when grown in cooler conditions, and are tolerant of cold weather. Loosen soil before planting at least six inches deep, a foot or more for long types. Plant seeds from April through early May, and again in August. Drought stress can cause the roots to develop poor flavor and tough texture.

Red radishes

These are the most common radishes found in grocery stores. They have a bright red skin and white flesh.

On radishes, flea beetles often attack the leaves, while cabbage maggots are a common root tunneler. Flea beetles are pinhead-sized black bugs that make buckshot holes in the leaves. Maggots are little white wormy-looking critters that bore into and all throughout the roots.

Radishes are cool-season crops. They are best grown with air temperatures in the range of 50 to 65°F. They grow fast, forming a dense canopy in the fall. They are winter killed when temperatures drop to low 20°F for a few consecutive nights.

Too much water can clog the soil and prevent the roots of the radish plant from accessing oxygen found in the small pockets of air in the soil. Prolonged exposure to overwatered soil conditions will eventually lead to root rot and cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off.

1. Trim the tops off the unwashed radishes, removing roots and leaves. (Don't wash the radishes until you're ready to cook them—they'll last longer.)

What causes radish leaves to yellow? ›

Sometimes radishes will have yellow leaves when they aren't getting enough sun. Radishes need to get six hours of full sun each day. It's fine if the radishes have some shade, but they do need the sun to thrive.

Radishes need routine watering to grow, or they run the risk of becoming pithy. Give the plants about one inch of water per week, depending on the soil moisture. If the topsoil feels too dry, add an extra inch of water.

Radishes like plenty of phosphorous so if you intend to add fertilizer before sowing, use something like bone meal. Too much nitrogen will encourage heavy top growth and discourages root bulbs. Kelp meal is loaded with micronutrients and will supply trace minerals to crops that will be consumed.

Garden radishes can be grown wherever there is sun and moist, fertile soil, even on the smallest city lot. Early varieties usually grow best in the cool days of early spring, but some later-maturing varieties can be planted for summer use.

The results of my investigation of the effect of salt-water on the germination of radish seeds showed that salt in the soil caused the seeds to struggle to grow. At the end of 3 weeks, the radish seeds tested in salt-water could not tolerate the salt-water exposure. These plants sprouted, however they failed to mature.

Radishes are freeze tolerant to the mid- to low 20s. Even if the foliage is damaged by a severe freeze, the plants can grow back from their roots.

Ripe radishes will only hold in the soil for a week or two past their peak. If you keep them in the ground too long, the roots taste bitter and the texture is woody. Plus, the plants will go to flower (which is great for the pollinators but not so good for the salad plate).

Seeds germinate best at 55-75ºF and require 5-10 days to emerge. Seeds should be planted ½ inch deep. Maintain a uniform and moist soil surface to ensure good plant stands. Planting and Spacing: Radishes grow best when temperatures do not exceed 80ºF.

Radishes prefer fertile, well-drained, deep, sandy soils rich in organic matter for best growth. Most light soils in Utah are well suited for radish production. Heavy soils need to be amended with plenty of compostto allow good root development.

Water your radishes thoroughly to moisten the soil to the root level once or twice a week. Check them frequently and water whenever the soil feels dry to the touch 1-inch below the surface. Radishes need evenly moist soil to grow quickly and produce tender roots.

How many types of radish is there? ›

There are many radish varieties, ranging from a sharp and peppery flavor to a mild flavor. Most varieties of radish have a crunchy texture when eaten raw, similar to cucumber.

12 Unique Types of Radishes.

They can be used similarly to those greens and in many of the same ways you'd use beet and turnip greens or carrot tops. Used raw, radish greens make a peppy pesto, a flavorful swap for lettuce in sandwiches, and a great addition to the salad bowl.

Radishes take between 22 and 60 days to grow, depending on the variety so always check the back of your seed packet to ensure you harvest them at peak maturity.

SOMEHOW, radishes have earned the reputation of being easy to grow. Possibly this is because the seeds germinate so quickly. Radishes are often planted in a child's garden, because they will oblige with seedlings before the child has lost interest and can be ready to eat in less than three weeks.

Easy to grow and ready to harvest in just 3 to 6 weeks. Make plantings of cool-season spring radishes every week or two for a continuous harvest until hot weather hits. Don't forget winter varieties that produce large, fall-harvested roots.

White rust – White rust appears as white pustules on foliage and flowers. The leaves may curl and thicken. This particular fungal disease thrives in dry conditions and is spread by the wind. Rotate crops and plant disease free seed.

Answer: Excessive nitrogen, the rapid onset of hot weather, or overcrowding may produce plants that are all tops (lush foliage, little or no root development). Misshapen roots and hot, pithy radishes are other problems that may be encountered when growing radishes. Overcrowding produces small, misshapen roots.

But have you ever considered growing them in the middle of winter? If you own a Solar Gem Greenhouse, you can grow radishes throughout the winter months without much effort. The key is making sure they get enough sunlight and maintaining a growing temperature of 50 degrees F for most of the day.

What insects do radishes repel? ›

Radishes are widely hailed as a companion plant to repel cucumber beetles and other squash family pests, but they work best when combined with a second companion plant such as buckwheat.

In cold water: Whole radishes can last for over a week in a jar of cold water. Simply wash these veggies, cut off the radish greens and root ends, and place them in a tightly sealed jar filled with water. They will last in the refrigerator for one week and often longer.

Can Birds Eat Radish Leaves? Yep, this one is an affirmative answer, too! Radish sprouts and greens are perfectly safe for birds. Some birds that won't touch the actual radish may only enjoy the radish greens!

Cabbage maggots, harlequin beetles, flea beetles and other pests infest radishes, eating holes in their leaves, stems and roots. You can keep bugs away from the radishes by tidying up radish growing areas, protecting crops and other cultural controls.

Did you know the entire radish plant is edible? The leaves, flowers, and seed pods can all be eaten raw or cooked. They have a peppery flavor, like a milder version of the root vegetable.

When the leaf loses its chlorophyll, the plant abandons it and begins to absorb leftover nutrients from the leaf. That's why once the leaf turns yellow, you generally can't make it turn back green again. (Although in cases of nutrient deficiencies, sometimes yellow leaf color can green back up again with treatment.)

Figuring out why radish plants only grow tops can be very frustrating. In new beds, it is often because you didn't loosen soil deeply enough. As a root crop, radishes depend upon loose soil to expand and develop thick roots into bulbs. Excess nitrogen in soil and neutral acidity will also slow the forming of radishes.

To wash radish leaves, you can either run them under water or soak them. We prefer to soak, and to do this we fill a large mixing bowl with cold water and submerge them for a few minutes, stirring or moving the leaves around with your hands to make sure as much dirt is removed as possible.

When we say “chlorosis,” we're generally talking about iron deficiency, a nutrient deficiency that causes leaves to yellow in a particular way. Iron chlorosis is “interveinal,” meaning the yellowing occurs in leaf tissue between the leaf's veins.

Why are my radishes taking so long to grow? ›

If radishes don't get the cool temperatures they need and lots of regular water, they will take longer to reach their mature size, and you may be tempted to leave them in the soil until they fill out. That's when they start to get hard and dry. Spring and fall are the easiest times to grow radishes.

Radishes require an all-purpose fertilizer mixed into the soil just before planting. The best fertilizer N-P-K ratio for radishes is a 16-20-0, but a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer will also work. Apply a ratio of one pound for every 100 square feet of soil.

Radishes prefer light, sandy loams with pH 6.5 - 7.0, but will tolerate a wide range of soil types. Soils with pH below 6.5 may require liming. Radishes are a cool season crop, preferring temperatures between 40-70°F. Optimum temperature range is 60-65°F.

Other Radish Companion Plants

Be cautious when planting near brassicas (like broccoli), however, as radishes can attract flea beetles, which will damage this plant's leaves. Hyssop is also not compatible with radishes.

Radishes don't grow as quickly as they say

British catalogs give a more reasonable estimate of four to six weeks, which factors in periods of slow growth due to cool, cloudy weather. I always allow at least six weeks for a good crop of spring radishes, and ten weeks for radishes grown in the fall.

Radishes do best when grown in cooler conditions, and are tolerant of cold weather. Loosen soil before planting at least six inches deep, a foot or more for long types. Plant seeds from April through early May, and again in August. Drought stress can cause the roots to develop poor flavor and tough texture.

They can be used similarly to those greens and in many of the same ways you'd use beet and turnip greens or carrot tops. Used raw, radish greens make a peppy pesto, a flavorful swap for lettuce in sandwiches, and a great addition to the salad bowl.

Water Consistently. If your radish plants don't get at least an inch of rainfall each week, water them deeply. Sandy soils may need watering more often. Keep the soil around the radish plants moist but never let them sit in standing water.

Radish is a cool-season, fast-maturing, easy-to-grow vegetable. Garden radishes can be grown wherever there is sun and moist, fertile soil, even on the smallest city lot. Early varieties usually grow best in the cool days of early spring, but some later-maturing varieties can be planted for summer use.

Radishes need routine watering to grow, or they run the risk of becoming pithy. Give the plants about one inch of water per week, depending on the soil moisture. If the topsoil feels too dry, add an extra inch of water.

When should you avoid radishes? ›

Radish increases bile flow. In people with gallstones, this effect might increase the risk of sudden pain due to a gallstone blocking the bile duct. Surgery: Large amounts of radish might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.

Drinking milk right after eating radish can wreak havoc on the system, this is because radish gives warmth to the system and combining it with milk can trigger heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ache. Thus, it is best to keep a gap of a few hours between the intake of these two foods.

Radishes like plenty of phosphorous so if you intend to add fertilizer before sowing, use something like bone meal. Too much nitrogen will encourage heavy top growth and discourages root bulbs. Kelp meal is loaded with micronutrients and will supply trace minerals to crops that will be consumed.

Radishes need plenty of room for their roots to develop into those desirable round shapes. Without this room, they either won't develop or will form long and thin shapes. To sow radish seeds properly, plant them 1/4 to 1/2 inches deep in very loose soil and take care not to crowd the seeds.