German Giant combines great flavor with impressive size, as it can grow up to baseball dimensions. The roots have pure white flesh and cherry red skin, offering a delicious taste and excellent texture that make it a standout among radishes.
Radish Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow radish seeds directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring, typically 4–6 weeks before the last frost date. For a continuous harvest, sow seeds every 2 weeks through late spring and again in late summer for a fall crop.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot or an area with partial shade, especially in warmer climates. Radishes prefer well-draining, loose soil.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6–8 inches, removing rocks and debris. Incorporate compost or a balanced fertilizer to improve fertility.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows.
- Space rows 12 inches apart for optimal airflow.
- Thinning: Thin seedlings to 2–3 inches apart once they are about 1 inch tall to give each radish room to grow.
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist to encourage rapid growth and prevent radishes from becoming woody or splitting.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Radishes are best sown directly outdoors. However, if starting indoors, sow seeds 2–3 weeks before the last frost date.
- Containers: Use deep trays or pots with good drainage and loose soil to prevent root deformation.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Cover lightly with soil mix and water gently.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 50–65°F (10–18°C) for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 3–7 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant carefully to avoid root disturbance, spacing plants 2–3 inches apart in rows.
General Care Tips for Radishes
- Sunlight: Provide full sun for best growth. Radishes can tolerate partial shade but may grow slower.
- Watering: Water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist. Avoid letting the soil dry out, which can cause radishes to bolt or become woody.
- Fertilizing: Radishes are light feeders. Enrich the soil with compost before planting. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of root development.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Mulching helps suppress weeds and maintain soil moisture.
- Harvesting: Harvest radishes when they are firm and about 1 inch in diameter, typically 3–4 weeks after sowing. Pull them gently from the soil to avoid damaging neighboring plants.
- Succession Planting: To ensure a steady supply, sow radish seeds every 2 weeks during the growing season.
