How to Grow Radish in Australia
A cool-season root crop for the home garden
Growing Radish rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$2-3/week, radishes are one of the fastest crops (25 days to harvest).
This guide covers when to plant Radish in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Radish is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Radish part sun to light shade. It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 15cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 5 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 6 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 25 degrees.
Fastest crop in the book. Ready in a month, great for impatient gardeners.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 3 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Flea beetle. The main diseases to watch are Clubroot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Radish is typically ready to harvest in roughly 4 weeks. Fridge with tops removed, up to 1 week.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, radish is good sliced raw in salads for crunch, quick-pickled for tacos and banh mi, roasted until soft and caramelised and added to Asian slaws. Nutritionally: very low calorie, high in water and good source of vitamin C.
Companion Planting
Radish grows well alongside Lettuce and Carrot. Keep it away from Hyssop. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Radish Growing
Add radish to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Radish in Australia?
Radish is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Radish take to grow?
Radish is generally ready to harvest in roughly 4 weeks.
Can I grow Radish in a pot?
Yes. Radish grows well in a container of 15cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Radish need?
Give it part sun to light shade for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Radish in the Plant Library
