How to Grow Winter Radish: Full Guide from Sowing to Storage

Is It Too Late to Plant?

No! You can still plant winter radish — the optimal sowing period ends in early August. Harvested roots can last until spring if stored in a dry, cool place (+1 to +2°C).

Soil and Site Preparation

Winter radish grows best in rich, loose soil — especially light loams with neutral pH. However, it’s known for being undemanding and performs reasonably well in most soils.

• Ensure good air circulation and avoid water logging — standing water is a major threat.
• Ideal precursors: tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, greens, legumes, pumpkins.
• Avoid planting after other Brassicaceae crops and never repeat it in the same spot yearly — crop rotation is crucial.

Autumn fertilization:

• Compost – 2–3 kg/m²
• Urea – 1 tsp/m²
• Superphosphate and potassium sulfate – 1 tbsp/m²

Sowing Instructions

• Best sowing time: Late June to July (shorter days prevent flowering and boost root growth)
• Spacing: 30×15 cm
• Sowing depth: 3 cm
• Pre-moisten the soil, press down the furrow after sowing

You may mulch with humus or peat to retain moisture

Care Tips

Thinning

• After 2–3 true leaves appear, thin out the seedlings.
• Start with 10–13 cm spacing, later increase to 15+ cm depending on the variety.
• Remove weak or damaged plants first.

 Watering

• No watering immediately after sowing — let the seeds settle
• Keep soil slightly moist after germination
• Mature plants only need watering during extended drought

 Aeration

Loosen the soil regularly to prevent crusting after rain or mulching.

Pest and Disease Protection

• Weeds: Treat with herbicides like Dual Gold after sowing.
• Pests: Flea beetles, cabbage flies
  • Use biological or standard insecticides (e.g. Aktara, Actellic)
  • Fine mesh netting helps protect against flies
• Fungal diseases: Avoid by maintaining proper pH, practicing crop rotation, and soil disinfection

Fertilization During Growth

• Poor soil? Feed with Nitrophoska early (1 tbsp per 10 L water)
• Later stages: phosphorus, potassium, and wood ash
• Avoid fresh manure – it spoils flavor and flesh color
• Go easy on nitrogen – it promotes leaf growth at the expense of roots
• Stop all watering, feeding, and treatments 3 weeks before harvest

Growing in Greenhouses

• Allows for harvest from November to December
• Best grown in small quantities from transplants
• Germinate at 15–20°C, transplant after 1–2 weeks
• Ideal density: 16–20 plants/m²
• Use fast-maturing varieties in fall for best results

Harvesting and Storage

• Harvest time: 1 week before first frost, on a dry day
• Gently dig up roots to avoid damaging skin — use damaged ones immediately
• Remove tops, leaving 1.5–2 cm stems for long-term storage

Storage tips

• Cool room at +1 to +2°C
• 80–85% humidity
• Layer roots with wood ash or chalk to prevent rot

You can even use small or misshaped radishes for growing fresh sprouts indoors!

Final Thought

Winter radish is a resilient crop with great storage potential. With proper timing and care, it rewards you with healthy, crunchy roots perfect for winter meals.