Can Radishes Grow in Containers?
It is possible to grow many vegetables in pots and containers. Container gardening radishes allows you to control disease, pests, moisture, and other conditions more easily than planting in the ground. Planting radish seeds is also a fun project for kids and helps them learn about how plants grow.
Radish Seed Germination
Radishes are cool-season vegetables that produce the smaller, sweeter vegetables in spring. There are early season and late season varieties of radish. Start the late-season radishes in late summer to early fall for a crop of larger, more pungent globes. Radish seed germination does not require any special pre-treatment and will occur when the seeds are sown on top of the soil or with just a dusting of cover.
How to Grow Radishes in Containers
Container gardening radishes require a wide gallon (4 L.) pot and well-drained soil with rich organic amendments. Use a vegetable starter mix, or make your own with a combination of compost and peat mixed with a small amount of sand or other grit. Mix in a vegetable fertilizer before planting to jump start root growth after radish seed germination. Ensure that the pot you choose has a good drainage hole and use unglazed pots that encourage evaporation of excess moisture. If you use a saucer, make sure it is not filled with water constantly.
Planting Radish Seeds
Radish seeds are tiny, so you may scatter the seeds over the prepared soil or use a special seeding tool to individually place the seeds. After germination, you can thin seedlings to ½ to 2 inches (1-5 cm.) apart, depending on the variety. For best results, brush a ¼ inch (6 mm.) of soil over the surface of the seeds. Keep the pot evenly moist and place it where it is sheltered from high wind and gets at least six hours of sunlight.
Harvesting Radishes
The roots are the edible part of the radish plant. They begin to swell and form the vegetable soon after radish seed germination. Watch the plants carefully and ensure that the tops of the roots are covered with soil to prevent splitting and drying. Harvest radishes as soon as they are an edible size. The smaller globes have the most spice and the larger vegetables more mellow. Radishes form quickly and should be pulled as soon as they are ready to prevent the roots from getting pithy and damaged.
