When to Plant Radish in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow September to April. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Radish guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Radish

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Radishes are the fastest-growing root vegetable, with some varieties ready in as little as 4 weeks. They are ideal for beginners, succession planting, and filling gaps between slower crops. Summer, winter, and oriental types offer year-round harvesting potential across most Australian zones.

Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
D D D D - - - - D D D D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Radish sowing time in Canberra?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cold / Highland zone right now, Radish included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 8–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Radish in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Plant September-April. Too cold in winter for germination or meaningful growth. Fast-maturing varieties give the quickest return in a short season.

Soil
Friable, well-drained soil with good moisture retention. Avoid heavy clay. Compost or aged manure improves results but do not use fresh manure which causes forking.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun in cool months; light afternoon shade in summer to prevent bolting
Spacing
5cm apart, 25cm between rows
Watering
Consistent moisture is critical. Radishes grown with irregular water become woody, pithy, and hot. Water lightly every 1-2 days in dry weather. Mulch to retain soil moisture.

Companion plants: Lettuce, Spinach, Carrot (as trap crop for flea beetle), Peas, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: Hyssop, Other brassicas (to reduce shared pest load)

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Radish

Recommended Varieties

  • Cherry Belle
  • French Breakfast
  • Sparkler
  • Daikon (autumn sowing)

Key Challenges

  • Short growing season
  • Frost damage to young seedlings
  • Slow germination in cold soil

Pro Tips

  • Start early under cloches or in cold frames to extend the season
  • Focus on fast varieties (25-30 day types) to maximise the number of successions
  • Interplant with lettuce for a quick double harvest

Harvesting Radish

When ready: Round varieties: shoulder visible at soil level, 2-3cm diameter. Pull one to check. Summer types: harvest at 4-6 weeks before they become pithy. Winter/daikon types: harvest at 8-10 weeks when 15-25cm long.

How to harvest: Grasp foliage near the crown and pull gently. Water the bed beforehand if soil is dry. For daikon/winter types, loosen soil alongside the root with a fork first.

Common Radish Pests in Cold / Highland Zones

Insect Tunneling, risk: MODERATE (score: 54/100)

Organic prevention: Avoid planting brassicas in the same spot consecutively. Remove crop debris. Water regularly (flea beetles prefer dry conditions). Interplant with non-brassica crops. Trap cropping with mustard can dr

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What radish costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your radish: Cabbage White Butterfly.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $14.95/kg (12-month range: $9.95–$16.00)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Radish

When do you plant radish in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does radish grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Jan to Apr, Sep to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.