Ecscuba said:Will wait until February as @horntoad suggested since that's the recommended date in Texas.

Those are not the dates for Texas. Those are the dates for my county. You need to check with your county agriculture extension agent for the correct dates for your area.

Carol, you're right to assume that radishes normally aren't transplanted; I agree with the other suggestions that maybe the seeds were a bit too shallow, or not getting enough light, as the possible cause -- or maybe the stems of the varieties you planted are just red !

I agree about the depth that the seeds were sown. Also it could be that the soil settled.
Also, if you used Miracle Grow Soil that could be part of the problem. I have not had good luck using the Soil mix, but the MR Potting Mix has done very well for me.

I planted some Daikon radishes at the wrong time for my area and they never developed thick roots, just skinny little hairs. However, the plants grew lushly to a huge size and put out loads of crisp, slightly spicy seed pods. THOSE were delicious! (Maybe they also had too much N.)

I let some of the seeds fall to the ground, and now I get volunteers that develop big white HOT Daikon radishes. That's how I found out that even Daikon called "mild" by the seed vendor are called "HOT" by Wimpy Rick.

When I grow little red radishes for snacking, I plant them as soon as the soil drains enough for sowing, but I try to make that before the last frost.

Ken, growing one crop in cooler weather might give you cooler radishes. I'd love to hear your results comparing the two crops.

OK - remind me!

Those are really nice radishes Arlene!

Thanks! And so mild. We ate some in our salad tonight. Unfortunately, even though David covered the row, the winds were so fierce I'm pretty sure it didn't stay on and everything is probably toast! Oh well, time to start new seeds anyway.

@Valleylynn your comment about the miracle grow makes me wonder. That soil does seem to settle -- I planted the radishes shallow, as in the directions, and I bet the soil kept shrinking/settling away as I watered it. I was able to go back to those two long containers and add quite a bit of soil on top around the radishes. They are all looking healthier now - although they're way behind where they should be - maybe they'll still produce. I'll experiment and next time will use a different soil. Thanks for the thoughts

Let us know how the experiment progresses. It could be very helpful to others.

I read that radishes are long-day plants for triggering flowering.

Maybe Oregon winter days are so short they won't even develop fat roots, or grow much at all.

I haven't tried growing them here in winter. But I have let some of the crop go to seed. Love the seed pods. Very tasty.

@Valleylynn what is the "MR" brand of potting soil you mentioned? I googled it but couldn't find.

Here you go Carol. http://www.miraclegro.com/smg/...
But even better it the Happy Frog. This is their mix that I use. It is wonderful. http://foxfarmfertilizer.com/i...

@valleylynn thank you very much.

You are welcome Carol.
The reason I like the Happy Frog is because of the wonderful amount of sandy loam it contains. The plants seem to love it.

Update on radishes:

Well, I failed at this project. These have been "growing" for nearly 3 months. Tops are anywhere from 6-9 inches tall. But many of them are now starting to flower. Reading on line it said that when they do that they got too cold. Well, the GH was never below 50, and then only for a short bit -- sometimes it ran 55 at night. When I scrape the soil away from them, there is no radish visible -- just a red root. On line says they need lots of sun but cool weather -- I added the grow lights about a month ago, but maybe that was too late.

So -- I'll try again. I did read that the greens are actually more nutritious than the radish itself and are wonderful in stirfry (which is something I DO WELL). So, maybe not a complete failure -- we'll have stir-fried radish leaves- hahah hehehe Expensive ones, given the heating and all this winter.

I plucked this one out of the pot -- washed it off ... and ATE the leaves. They are great ! Tasted like radishes -- I can see using a little of them in a fresh salad too.

If you let them develop pods, those will be tasty also. My Daikon radish pods were pretty zingy, but not as hot as the root was, when some volunteered at the right time of year.

@RickCorey I didn't know they would develop "pods" --- very interesting. I learn something every time I post out here. Can't wait to see what those look and taste like. Maybe the whole project is a "winner" after all.

Sorry about your radishes but just so you know, it happens to the best of us! I've been growing them for years and sometimes they just don't bulb up. Different reasons but I never dwell on it, I just plant more since they are ready so quickly! Try again, I'll bet you'll be successful.

Carol, that really seems strange, but yes, weird things DO happen to all of us! And, fortunately, the leaves are edible...