How To Transplant Radishes

Radishes are typically easy to grow and most spring varieties are ready to harvest about 25 days after planting. Radishes planted in the late summer are ready to harvest 50 and 70 days after planting. If during this time you must transplant your radishes — perhaps because they are not getting enough sunlight or want to plant something else in their place — then do so carefully so you don't damage your plants in the process.

Step 1

Find a site in full sun to grow your transplanted radishes. The soil should contain low amounts of nitrogen. Therefore, don't transplant radishes to areas that have recently been fertilized with fertilizers high in nitrogen.

Step 2

Dig down and around the radishes, about 4 inches, to be sure you get all the roots and don't damage the radishes themselves.

Step 3

Transplant the radishes so they are just as deep as they were before. Keep as much of the roots intact as possible. Plant spring radishes about one inch apart and winter radishes two to four inches apart.

Step 4

Tamp down the soil lightly and water with 1 inch of water. Keep the soil moist until harvest.

Prepare a container at least 4 to 6 inches deep. Ensure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Fill the container with standard commercial potting mixture, as potting mixture is lightweight and drains well. Incorporate a time-release fertilizer into the potting mixture. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of approximately 1/2 tablespoon of dry fertilizer for each gallon of potting mixture. Cover the seeds with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil. Add water until it trickles through the drainage hole. Thereafter, water whenever the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize the plants when the radishes begin to emerge. Repeat every one to two weeks until harvest. Don't wait, because radishes quickly develop a bitter flavor and woody texture.