DIY: A Guide to Grow Radish Watermelon at Home

We are working on absolute presumption here, but if given a choice, many may not choose to plant watermelon seeds in their backyard. The reason is simple; it is too tedious. 

But ask anyone to plant radish seeds, and they will do it in a heartbeat beat. Apart from the quick growing time and ease in planting, radishes also leave umpteen nutrients in the land. It works as a strong bug repellent and organic fertilizer. 

While this holds, only certain types of radishes (daikon, cherry belle) usually make it to one’s vegetable garden. Few choose to grow radish watermelon (and other unique types) in their backyards. It could be because of doubts if one can grow radish watermelon at all? You can, and we are just about to show you how.

Watermelon radish is an heirloom Chinese daikon radish. Like other radishes, it holds pest repellent properties and often helps maintain soil health. It helps kill bacteria and fungus in the soil and works as an organic fertilizer.

It is also easy to grow radish watermelon. They usually take about 60-65 for harvest after planting. The harvest day can vary depending on the spice level one would prefer in the radish. From glorious salads to healthy wraps, watermelon radish lends lots of flavor, texture, and beauty to every dish.

Too much information may get overwhelming at times, especially when we are attempting to do something new. To help you with the process and make it as fuss-free as possible, we bring you a step-by-step methodology to help you grow radish watermelon at home. 

1. Buying the seeds: Fair warning: Watermelon radish seeds are a bit difficult to find at nurseries and farms. However, it is easier to order them online. 
2. The Season: An ideal time to grow radish watermelon is early to late spring. The radishes will be ready for harvest in 65 days. 
3. Choosing the Location: This part is crucial and will determine the destiny of the radishes. If you are planning to plant the seeds in your garden, choose a location with enough sunlight. Do not pick a place that is overshadowed by large trees. For a pot, leave it somewhere within the house that has enough sunlight. 
4. The Soil: Check the quality of the soil first. You can do this via a traditional soil test. Get rid of any small rocks or pebbles buried underneath. Add some organic fertilizer or manure to the soil and leave it for 15 days to develop nutrients. 
5. Planting the Seeds: Dig a two-inch deep hole into the ground (about one inch for a pot). Sprinkle the seeds and cover them with mud. If you wish to plant more seeds, ensure a space of at least three inches between the two holes. If you are planting the radishes in rows, there must be a space of at least 10 inches between them. The reason for this space is to avoid overcrowding. When there are too many radishes, they take longer to grow or don’t at all. 
6. Care: Water the seeds regularly. Pick a time of the day to do so. Irregularity in watering the seeds will delay the growth and the harvest. Watermelon radishes need about six hours of sunlight each day. Should you feel the sun too harsh, prepare a cover for the seeds to prevent the roots from scorching. 
7. Harvest: The watermelon radishes will be ready for harvest with their heads (leaves) are about an inch high above the ground. Hold the head with your hands and pull them out. 
8. Storage: Clean off the dust and mud on the roots. Trim the top and bottom. The watermelon radishes are now ready for use or storage. You can also trim the top and wrap the leaves in paper to use later. You will have to refrigerate the leaves. The watermelon radishes will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

You may feel that the process to grow radish watermelon is quite demanding, but the moment you look at the pale green and glorious pink of the radish, it will be worth the effort.

 

Unlike other radishes, the watermelon variety is quite hot and peppery in flavor. Its usual pepperiness may appeal a lot more to adults than children. One might wonder if there is any way to curb the spice flavor on the watermelon radish. It is possible to do so with the timing of the harvest.

First, we must address how long it takes to grow watermelon radish.

Watermelon Radish Growing Time

Like other radishes, the watermelon kind is also quick to grow and takes about 60-65 days before it is ready for harvest. 

Since the radishes are quite hot and peppery, you can change the harvest time by a week or so. 

Shorter Time: If you wish to have less peppery watermelon radishes, we suggest you harvest them within 50-60 days after planting the seeds. They will have a mildly spicy flavor but will also be smaller in size. 

Longer Time: If you love the spicy kick watermelon radishes lend to salads and wraps, we recommend you harvest them on or after 65 days. You will see that they grow to full size. Don’t leave the radishes in the ground beyond 70 days. They will lose their flavor and become spongy. These late harvest watermelon radishes will be a lot spicier than the regular ones.

The Right Time: Those who don’t wish to experiment with the size or flavor harvest the watermelon radishes between 60 and 65. You will find them in their regular size with the usual pepperiness. 

At the end of the day, the growing time for these root vegetables is testimony to two phenomena. The first one is the time for the roots to grow a bulb and mature completely. The second is to harvest according to the kind of heat you want from the radishes. This one is tricky because the vegetable has grown, but you choose to harvest or leave it underground for the flavor. Isn’t it wonderful, this beauty of nature?

Most of this information may apply to gardens, backyards, and front lawns more than an indoor setup. While the smaller and most popular cherry belle radishes are the easiest to grow indoors, does a similar method work for growing watermelon radishes? Yes, it does, but to set up an indoor unit that is hospitable for growing this heirloom daikon variety will require some effort.

How to Grow Radish Watermelon in Pots/Containers

Size of the container/pot. Since cherry belle radishes are small, they don’t require a deeper container than 4-6 inches. It may not be the same for other radishes. To grow radish watermelon, one will require a pot that is about 8-10 inches deep and has a larger diameter. While watermelon radishes are smaller than daikon, they have a bigger circumference, which broader pots/containers can accommodate. 

Soil. Radishes prefer rich and well-drained soil. Buy a quality pot mix that is best suited for hot vegetables. Add some organic manure to the mix. Dig a hole in the pot/container that is about an inch and a half deep. Plant the seeds at least 3 inches apart and cover the holes with the rest of the soil. Within 7-10 days, the seeds will start germinating. 

Watering. Be careful with the watering. You must ensure that the pot/container’s soil is moist all the time. It will accelerate the growth of the root. If the watering is irregular or inconsistent, the soil will dry out soon and cause the roots to weaken. 

Similarly, overcompensating for the dry, cracked soil by drowning it in water won’t help either. Drought and soggy soil are both equally dangerous. 

Care. If there is any possibility of birds or pests ruining the vegetable, protect it with a floating row cover. Leave them at a location with enough sunlight for at least 6-8 hours. 

Harvesting. It may seem challenging, but the process of harvesting watermelon radishes grown in a pot is similar to that of a garden. Hold the head of the vegetable with both hands and pull. Depending on the kind of flavor you like, you may choose an early or a slightly late harvest. You can also harvest a few sooner than the others to compare the flavor profile. 

When we put in a certain amount of effort for these vegetables, it may be difficult to hold our patience while waiting for them to grow. Our eagerness to harvest them quickly and taste the fruit (radish, in this case) or our hard labor is too tempting. Don’t forget that watermelon radishes take about 60-65 days to grow. It would help if you waited until then for harvest.

While this heirloom daikon variety is slightly rare to find in the markets, acing the methods to grow them at home promises the unlimited organic supply of these vegetables. 

It is common knowledge that most radishes are available all season, and yet there are apprehensions about the right season to grow the radish watermelon variety. Here are some of our observations on an impending question:

Are Watermelon Radishes Seasonal?

Another aspect of all radishes is their categorization according to the seasons. While almost all radishes are available year-round, some are better suited for winter and others for summer. Cherry belles, for example, are summer radishes, while daikon is a typical winter radish. 

One can plant watermelon radish seeds in late spring or summer for a mid to late summer harvest. Despite this, watermelon radishes are still available year-round.

Given the peppery zing these radishes have, these are the best vegetables to eat during the winters. The hotness helps the body generate warmth and heat that helps one cope with harsh winters. 

Additional Tips

To reek into the maximum benefits of this glorious vegetable, we recommend you consume it whole (with the leaves). The leaves are a wonderful addition to your morning/evening tea. They help build immunity and extend protection against flu, fever, and several fungal infections. 

If you wish to add both health and hue to your plate of food, do not pee off the skin of this beautiful radish. The bright pink of the flesh against the pale green skin will add body and panache to your dish. Watermelon radishes also help one fight several infections and diseases. You can chop, pickle, mix in a salad, and refrigerate them for later use. 

Before You Leave to Grow

Don’t feel daunted by radishes. They are the easiest to grow, no matter what variety you choose. No matter whichever radish you choose, always measure it with your eyes first. The most common error with growing radishes is that we tend to forget or overlook their size. The distance needed between the seeds while sowing cherry belle radishes does not apply to daikon or the watermelon radish variety. This casual presumption usually causes overcrowding and the roots to die sooner. Buy your pots/containers accordingly and spread out the planting of the seeds for the best results. 

While the radishes need a lot of sunlight, it must not be harsh. Excess of anything is going to cause more harm than repair. To grow radish watermelon correctly and harvest them in their prime, remember to check for the five elements that pack a punch for radishes – soil, water, sunlight, growing time, and manure.