A radish is a vegetable with a sharp and tangy taste. They grow quickly, and the time between planting seeds and harvesting vegetables is relatively short compared to other types of vegetables. To ensure radish germination, soil should be well-drained and prepared with a light fertilizer. The area where the seeds are planted should be free of any rocks or stones. Radishes prefer mild temperatures, so radish germination will not occur if the soil is too warm or too cold.
The seeds may be planted in the spring or the fall when the weather is moderate. The optimal soil temperature for growing radishes is between 50° and 75° F (10 to 21° C), although the seeds can germinate in soil that is as warm as 85° F (29° C). Radish germination will fail when soil temperatures are too high or too low.
Garden soil should be prepared before planting radish seeds. These veggies thrive in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil, but can also grow very well in average soil. All rocks and stones should be removed from the soil where the seeds will be planted. Manure or fertilizer can be mixed into the area to make it a better environment for radish germination.
Seeds should be planted in holes that are 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) deep, and 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) apart. Broadcast spreading, in which seeds are scattered over a prepared area of soil and then covered with a light layer of soil, may also be used for planting radish seeds. In both planting methods, care should be taken to ensure that the seeds are not too close together, however, as radishes do not grow well when they are overcrowded. The newly planted seeds should be watered, until the soil is moist but not wet.
After planting, the soil covering the seeds should be watered every day, and the area should receive at least partial sunlight during the day. With proper care, radish germination should occur within three to seven days after planting. As the plants begin to sprout, the garden should be thinned out to give radishes room to grow, and any weeds that are present should be pulled. On average, a radish plant is mature in 20 to 30 days after planting, and at this point the vegetables can be harvested. A well-grown radish generally has a sharp and tangy taste and is commonly used in salads, on vegetable trays, and as a colorful garnish.