Radish Seeds,
China Jade

China Jade radishes are best sown in mid to late summer for a fall harvest, roughly 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost, so the roots size up as the weather cools. They grow best in cooler temperatures, typically around 50-75 F. A spring sowing works only as an early, quick crop put in as soon as the soil can be worked, since summer heat and long days push daikon types to bolt and turn woody. If you're not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow seeds directly into the garden bed about 1/4 inch deep, spacing them 1-2 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart to give each plant enough space to develop properly. For continuous harvests, sow seeds every two weeks.

Maintain consistent moisture by watering regularly, especially during dry periods, to encourage rapid growth. Use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the soil loose to allow the radishes to grow without restriction. Monitor for common pests like flea beetles and root maggots.

• Radishes are insect-pollinated, so you'll need to isolate varieties by up to 1⁄2 mile or stagger plantings to avoid flowering at the same time.
• Staggering can be easy because of the radish's quick maturity.
• Allow flower stalks to shoot up and seed pods to dry on the plant before picking pods and opening by hand to remove the seeds.
• Seeds will remain viable for up to 5 years when stored in an airtight container.