Radish is a relatively low-maintenance crop, usually ready to harvest in five to ten weeks, and you can harvest both roots and leaves at the same time. Start by sowing seeds and plan to plant radishes in spring or fall!
How to care for radishes is part of a series of tutorials on growing radishes. The tutorial also includes planting, comprehensive care, and harvesting. If you want to know how to care for radishes, follow this illustration of growing radishes from the production department. Study the tutorial.
How to care for radish
1Water as needed. Raids require 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week. Anything less will make the roots tough and bitter, but too much water will cause the radishes to rot.
- Monitor local precipitation. During seasons with average precipitation, you may not need additional watering. If it is a dry season, you should water the radishes yourself.
2Add a large amount of coating. When the plants reach 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall, add a 2-inch (5 cm) layer of mulch around the leaves. - Multifilm can retain moisture, and uniform moisture can help it grow better and be more delicious.
- And mulching can help control and limit the growth of weeds in the vegetable garden.
3Consider fertilizing radishes. Although not strictly necessary, applying a mild organic fertilizer once a month will make your radish roots stronger. Choose fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus rather than nitrogen-rich onesof. - Nitrogen fertilizer will cause the radish leaves to grow particularly lush, but the roots will deteriorate.
- Look for fertilizers that also contain boron, or apply a separate boron spray four to six weeks after planting.
- Make sure any fertilizer you apply is food safe.
- Instead of fertilizer, you can also use a dose of compost tea every month or so.
4Weeding. Any weeds poking through the mulch should be pulled out with your bare hands. Do not use herbicides as the chemicals will get into the radish, damaging it and rendering it inedible. 
< span class="step">5Watch out for pests and fungi. Root maggots and flea beetles are both the most common pests you need to watch out for, while powdery mildew and downy mildew are the most common fungi. - Root maggot problems often occur when radishes, turnips, or rutabaga are grown in soil the previous year. To prevent root maggot infestations, use crop rotation and treat the soil with a food-safe insecticide designed to combat root maggots.
- Maintaining soil pH above 6.0 inhibits most problems caused by mold and other fungi, such as clubroot. Periodically test soil pH with a pH test kit or by taking a sample to your local university extension office.
- Generally speaking, once radish roots are infected by pests or fungi, there is little chance of saving them. Your best bet is to remove infected radishes and treat the soil as needed to destroy as much of the pest or fungus as possible.
Materials that may be used
- Radish seeds
- Soil pH test tool
- Compost
- Retting
- Gardening shovel or rake
- Water bottle or garden hose
- Mulch film
- Food-safe fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus
- Food-safe biocides Insecticide (if needed)
- Straw (for storage; optional)
DIY Tips
- Some recommended radish varieties include: Chaos, Gilfeather, Golden Ball, Market Express, Purple Top White Ball, Crown, Blood Queen, Tokyo Cross, White Knight and White Lady.
Growing radishes
How to harvest radish and plant radish picture tutorial
How to grow radish, illustrated tutorial on growing radish
