Growing radishes from seed is very easy! In this post, I will show you exactly when and how to plant radish seeds, give you detailed step-by-step instructions, as well as seedling care tips for the best success.

If you’ve never tried growing radishes from seed, you should definitely add it to your list. The whole process is fun, and the results are fast too.

There is no need to wait months for your bounty, you can start eating them in a matter of weeks. Since they are so simple and quick, planting radish seeds is great for beginners.

Below I will show you everything you need to know about how to plant & grow radish seeds. You’ll get detailed step by step instructions, learn how to care for the seedlings, and much more!

Table of Contents

Growing Radishes From Seed

Radishes are one of my favorite vegetables to grow from seed. They’re quick to mature, and there are several varieties to choose from, so it never gets boring.

Types Of Radish Seeds To Plant

There are tons of different types of radish seeds you can plant in your garden. The variety you choose depends on your preference for flavor and color.

Here are a few of my favorites. Be sure to try several to figure out which ones you like the best, or get a mixed packet.

Related Post: How To Collect Seeds From Your Radishes

Different types of radish seed packets

Recommended Radish Seed Starting Methods

The best method to use for planting radish seeds is direct sowing. You certainly could try starting them indoors or winter sowing them if you want.

However, they do not like to be transplanted. Doing so can cause premature bolting or other problems down the line. So, for the best results, I recommend sowing them directly into your garden.

How Long From Seed To Harvest?

The best thing about growing radishes from seed is that they are very fast. They can take as little as 25 days from seed to harvest.

However, some varieties can take as long as 70 days. So, always make sure you check the packets of each variety you plan to sow in order to get the timing right.

Mature radish in my garden

Planting Radish Seeds

One of the nice things about starting radish seeds is how simple they are to plant. You just need to choose the right time to sow them, and follow the proper steps.

When To Plant Radish Seeds

The best time to plant radish seeds is as soon as the ground is workable in very early spring, or once the weather cools down in the fall.

They hate hot weather, and will germinate best in cooler soil. If it’s too hot, they either won’t sprout, or they will bolt right after germination.

Preparing to sow my radish seeds

How To Plant Radish Seeds Step-By-Step

With no special equipment needed, other than a trowel and some rich soil, planting the seeds is super easy. Just get your supplies together before starting, and you’ll have no problems.

Supplies Needed:

Seeds
Organic amendments (granular fertilizer, compost, and/or worm castings) – optional
Hand trowel
Water

Step 1: Prepare the soil – Loosen up the soil, and remove any weeds, or large impediments like rocks and sticks.

Amend poor quality soil with compost or worm castings, and then mix an organic granular fertilizer into it before sowing your seeds.

Step 2: Figure out the spacing – Since they don’t need much room, you can space the seeds 3-5″ apart. If that’s too tedious for you, just scatter them in a row, and thin them later on.

Step 3: Plant the seeds – There are a couple ways to plant them. Either lay each one on top of the soil, then gently press it down.

Or, make holes with your finger, and simply drop them in. They only need to be planted about a 1/2″ deep. If you’re using old seeds, put 2-3 into each hole.

Planting radish seeds in my garden

Step 4: Cover the seeds – Once you’re done sowing radish seeds, cover them up with soil.

Then use your hand to gently press the top of the dirt down to ensure it comes into contact with the seeds.

Step 5: Water – Last, water your beds until the soil is evenly moist. Use the lowest setting on your garden hose so the soil doesn’t wash away.

Radish Germination Time

Like I said before, radish seeds grow fast after planting. It only takes about 5-10 days for them to germinate.

If yours aren’t growing, then it’s probably either too wet or too hot for them. Either of these will inhibit germination.

Baby radish plant seedling

What Do Radish Seedlings Look Like?

When they first pop out of the ground, your tiny baby radish seedlings will have two heart shaped leaves. These are called the “seed leaves”.

All of the rest that form after that are called the “true leaves”, and those look exactly like miniature versions of the normal ones.

Radish seedling germinating

How To Care For Radish Seedlings

Since you probably planted your radish seeds directly in your vegetable bed, caring for the seedlings is simple. The most important things to remember are water and proper nutrients.

Water – From the start, radish seedlings need consistent water – and lots of it. Never allow the soil to dry completely, or it could cause problems like bolting, cracking, or slow growth. Use a moisture meter to make sure you get it right.

Fertilizer – Once they start forming their first true leaves, feed them with a half dose of organic fertilizer each time you water. They love fish emulsion or liquid compost tea too.

Thinning – If you didn’t properly space your seeds when you planted them, then you’ll need to thin the seedlings. Otherwise, if they’re overcrowded, it will inhibit their growth or cause deformities.

First true leaves on radish seedling

FAQs

Growing radishes from seed is really straightforward. But since you might still have a few questions, here are the answers to the most common ones I get.

How many radish seeds do you plant per hole?

If your seeds are new, you can plant one per hole. But if they are a few years old, place two or three into each hole, then thin them later on.

How deep do you plant radish seeds?

Plant radish seeds twice as deep as they are wide – so about 1/4″ – 1/2″ deep.

Can you start radish seeds indoors?

I do not recommend starting radishes indoors. They hate to be transplanted, and doing so can stunt their growth or cause other problems down the line. For best results, direct sow them into your garden instead.

Do radish seeds need light to germinate?

No, radish seeds do not need light to germinate.

Should I soak radish seeds before planting?

There’s no need to soak the seeds before planting them. It certainly won’t hurt, and can help them germinate faster.

However, since they are already very quick, you probably won’t notice much of a difference if you soak them first.

Growing radishes from seed is so fast and easy that you’ll wonder why you never tried it before. Simply follow the steps and instructions above the best success.

Are you tired of struggling with growing your garden plants from seed? Then you need to take my online Seed Starting Course! It’s a fun, self-paced course that will show you everything you need to be successful, and walk you through it all step-by-step. Enroll and begin today!

Or, maybe you just need a quick refresher. Then download a copy of my Starting Seeds Indoors eBook instead.

Print The Step By Step Instructions

How To Plant Radish Seeds

With no special equipment needed, other than a trowel and some rich soil, planting radish seeds is super easy. Just get your supplies together before starting, and you’ll have no problems.

Materials

Seeds
Organic soil amendments (optional)
Water

Tools

Hand trowel

Instructions

Prepare the soil - Loosen the soil, then remove weeds and any large rocks or sticks. Amend the bed with compost or worm castings, and then mix an organic granular fertilizer into it before planting the seeds.
Figure out the spacing - Space the seeds 3-5" apart. If that's too tedious, just scatter them in a row, and thin the seedlings later on.
Plant the seeds - Either lay the seeds on top of the soil, then gently press them down about a 1/2" deep. Or, make holes with your finger, and drop them in. If the seeds are old, plant 2-3 per hole.
Cover the seeds - When you're done, cover the seeds with soil. Then use your hand to gently press the top of the dirt down so it comes into good contact with the seeds.
Water - Use the lowest setting on your garden hose to water your beds until the soil is evenly moist.

Comments

Gary says

June 7, 2017 at 2:26 am

I have tried to grow radishes for the last two years, and every time each time my radishes have only grown the tops and nothing on the bottom why is this? Thank you for your advice.

- Amy Andrychowicz says
  
  June 13, 2017 at 7:51 pm
  
  Do they go to flower right away? If so, then you might be planting them too late, and the weather is too warm for them. Radish seeds need to be planted early, while the ground and the weather are still cool, and as soon as the ground is workable in the spring. The heat will only make them bolt. If it’s not that, then I would recommend testing your soil to see if it’s missing any nutrients. Here’s how to test your soil at home with an inexpensive DIY kit.

How To Plant & Grow Radishes From Seed