How to Grow French Breakfast Radish

  1. French Breakfast radishes grow best in loose, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.  Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) and mix in compost or well-rotted manure to improve its fertility.
  2. Sow French Breakfast radish seeds directly into the soil in rows spaced 15 cm (6 inches) apart, and plant the seeds 1 cm (1/2 inch) deep. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, during germination.
  3. These French Breakfast radishes grow best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.  They prefer cooler temperatures between 10-18°C (50-65°F) and will bolt (flower prematurely) in hot weather.
  4. Once the radish seedlings are 2-3 cm (1 inch) tall, thin them to 5 cm (2 inches) apart to give them enough space to grow. Thinning also helps to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
  5. Water the radishes regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.  Add a balanced fertiliser every two weeks to encourage healthy growth.
  6. Harvesting time is roughly in about 25-30 days. The radishes should be about 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches) in diameter and the root should be firm and crispy. To harvest, gently pull the radishes out of the soil by the leaves.
There are plenty of companion plants you can grow with French Breakfast Radish to aid natural pest control of your crop.  Monitor for disease to be sure you grow a great bunch of radishes.  Then enjoy a tasty meal with radishes added for flavour and crunch.

Heritage of French Breakfast Radish

The French Breakfast Radish, also known as "Radis Demi-long Rose a Bout Blanc" in French, originated in France in the early 1800s. It is believed to have been first cultivated in France. The radish has a distinctive oblong shape and displays a bright red colour at the top with a white tip. Initially, people grew it primarily as a breakfast food, serving it with butter and salt. Its mild, slightly sweet flavour and crunchy texture have made it a popular choice for salads and garnishes. The French Breakfast Radish is now cultivated and enjoyed globally.
Plant Height 15 - 20cm (⅝" - ¾")
Season of Interest Spring, Autumn
Temperature Range 10 - 25°C (50 - 77°F)
Annual / Perennial / Biennial Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade Full Sun
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings Sow Direct
Seed Preparation No special preparation required
Sowing Depth 1
Plant Spacing 2.5 - 5
Row Spacing 15 - 30
Watering Regular, consistent watering
Good Companion Plants Carrots, Lettuce, Spinach, Cucumbers, Peas, Beans, Tomatoes, Beets, Chives
Bad Companion Plants Brassicas (such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage), Mustard greens, Turnips, Potatoes
Pests Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.), Root maggots (Delia spp.), Cabbage maggots (Delia radicum), Aphids (Aphis spp.), Slugs and snails (Gastropoda), Cutworms (Agrotis spp.)
Diseases Clubroot, Downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, White rust, Black rot

RADISH-FRENCH BREAKFAST

$3.50

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More About Direct Compost Solutions

When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.

Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn't suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden.