When to Plant Radish in Perth, Mediterranean Guide

Sow year round in Perth. That includes right now, in September.

This Radish guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs

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 Mediterranean

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

You can sow radish in any month in Mediterranean, but the months are not equal. Summer heat brings faster bolting and heavier pest pressure, so pick a heat tolerant variety, sow little and often, and give afternoon shade from December through February.

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

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Mediterranean 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: 15.9°C (optimal range: 8–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

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

How to Grow Radish in Mediterranean Australia

When to Plant

Plant March-November. Year-round possible in milder years. Best from March-May and August-October.

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)

Mediterranean Growing Tips for Radish

Recommended Varieties

  • Cherry Belle
  • French Breakfast
  • Sparkler
  • Black Spanish
  • Daikon

Key Challenges

  • Hot, dry summers cause bolting and pithy roots
  • Flea beetle in dry conditions

Pro Tips

  • Autumn and spring are peak seasons
  • Winter growing works well in Perth and Adelaide
  • Keep soil consistently moist. The Mediterranean dry spell is the enemy of good radishes

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 Mediterranean Zones

Insect Tunneling, risk: MODERATE (score: 45/100)

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 mediterranean zone this September: Ginger, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Cucumber.

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 Perth?

Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Mediterranean zone, though not every month is equally easy.

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 Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.