Have you ever bit into a sushi roll and tasted a burst of bright and spicy greens? Those were probably radish microgreens and they are super easy to grow! Better yet, microgreens are a great addition to your diet as they pack in up to 40 times the nutrients per ounce when compared to the radish vegetable.
You don't need an extensive background in gardening or even a big greenhouse to add this beneficial, nutritious, and delicious ingredient to your diet. These microgreens can be grown on your counter using a few basic pieces of equipment and less than two weeks of your time.
Microgreens are grown a little longer than the traditional bean sprout found in the grocery store produce department. That means that you are never eating the root, but only the stem and baby leaves that are overloaded with flavor and vitamins. Radish microgreens are packed with Vitamin A, B, C, E, and K along with chlorophyll and amino acids.
| Flavor | Sharp, light, spicy |
| Presoak | No |
| Color | Green or Purple |
| Germination Time | 2 to 3 days |
| Harvest Time | 6 to 10 days |
| Green Thumb Level | 2 |
If you love radishes, then you will enjoy these microgreens that have much the same flavor as the root vegetable. Its profile is ready to punch up your meals. The slightly tart and bright taste delivers a great twist to dishes while adding nutrients.
There is no need to pre-soak your seeds, but you will need to precisely follow the germination directions for a successful harvest.
There is a huge variety of radish microgreen seeds, which means that your harvest may have green or purple stems and leaves. If you are planning to shoot images of your garnished meal, you may want to think ahead about which color you want to plant.
Before you can put your tray of sprouts in the sun, they must be germinated in a dark and wet environment, which takes up to three days. Having a shelf set aside in a closet or the basement is a great idea when you grow new microgreens on a regular basis.
Your greens will be ready for harvest when the microgreens get to be about two to three inches tall, but before they begin to leaf out their mature leaves. You can snip a handful at a time or cut the entire tray and store in your fridge for up to a week.
The only reason why growing radish microgreens is not considered a beginner gardener project is due to the short germination and growing time. You need to pay attention to your crop every day to ensure a good yield without allowing bacteria to take hold in the growing medium.
Here are some frequently asked questions about growing radish microgreens.
No. You are harvesting the tray before the radish microgreens have the chance to flower and create new seeds. You will need new seeds to start your next tray.
Your radish microgreens are ready to be eaten after just six to ten days when they are about two to three inches tall. They germinate in two to three days.
You don't need a lot of space or specialized equipment to start producing a decent quantity of radish microgreens. Our equipment list and links help you to gather the tried and true items needed to find success with your first batch of seeds.
Your seed tray should be about 2.5-inches deep, providing enough room for your greens to sprout strong roots.
Look for a watering can with a narrow spout to be able to fill the bottom tray and one that provides a fine mist to dampen your freshly sown seeds.
We prefer kitchen shears that can be sharpened. A dull pair of scissors will not cut the stems cleanly, which can result in pulling the roots out, too.
We also use a very sharp knife to harvest.
Coconut fiber or coir absorbs and retains water, lowering your demand for water and keeping your seeds moist until they sprout.
What else do you need to get started? You can decide to grow more than one kind of radish microgreens. TrueLeafMarket.com delivers a huge variety of microgreen seeds including three radish varieties.
The China Rose delivers the traditional radish flavor in a fast-growing green.
The Daikon Organic features a more robust taste reminiscent of Asian cuisine.
The Rambo Organic provides a dramatic purple sprout with a bold and spicy flavor ready to dress up any soup, sandwich, or sushi roll.
Radish microgreen seeds do not require soaking. Not all seeds will need to be soaked before you start the germination process.
Your radish microgreens will grow in a tray with drainage holes in the bottom. You should place this tray into another tray without holes that will hold the water supply.
You will fill your top tray with a mix of organic potting soil and coconut coir. Add water per the instructions and let sit so that the coconut coir fully absorbs the water. The soil should be moist to the touch, but not super wet.
The seeds are tiny and you can place between eight and ten seeds in one square inch. Spread them evenly across the top of the growing medium. Press the seeds firmly into the soil using something like a wooden block.
Add a gentle mist of water over the seeds. Place your third tray on top of the seeds and weigh it down with an item weighing between one and three pounds. The weighted tray encourages the seeds to send roots down into the soil. Place your tray stack into a dark closet or cabinet. The temperature should be at a steady 65F to 75F. If it is too warm, you may have delayed germination or will see the start of mold or disease.
It takes between two and three days for the seeds to germinate. Check your tray each day and look for a bunch of little sprouts covering the surface of the soil. They should be pressing against the bottom of the top tray. Once this happens, you need to move them into the light.
Take the weighted tray off and put the seed tray stack under your grow light. Your greens will enjoy a steady diet of 12 hours of natural sun or a grow light each day.
Fill the bottom tray with enough water so that the radish microgreens will draw the water up through the holes in the top tray. Check the water tray twice a day and add more water as needed.
Avoid watering your greens from the top as this encourages bacteria growth on the surface of the growing medium, which can then get into the greens served on your dining table.
Healthy microgreens will have a pulpy white stem that supports tiny green, red, or purple leaves. If you see black dots on the leaves, a white web on the soil, or insect activity, you will want to toss the tray and start over.
You will need the following tools to harvest your crop:
Once the radish microgreens are about two to three inches tall, they are ready to be harvested! The low-sided growing tray is designed to give you easy access to the stems.
Pinch a group of the microgreen stems with your thumb and finger and then snip the bunch about a half-inch above the soil with your sharp kitchen shears. There is no need to rinse the greens until you are preparing them for serving. Place them into an airtight storage tub and leave them in the crisper in your fridge.
If the greens feel wet after you snip them, pat them dry with a paper towel before storing or serving them.
Maybe you can't eat your entire harvest right away. Fortunately, radish microgreens store very well for up to a week or two. If you are storing them for personal consumption, place a paper towel in the bottom of a sealable storage bin. The paper towel absorbs any extra moisture so that your greens remain crisp and tart.
If you are planning to sell your microgreens, you will need to research your local health regulations for safe food handling and ensure your growing procedures and packaging methods meet or surpass the standards.
In general, you will need a scale to ensure the same amount is placed in each bag or container. You can source compostable containers, absorbent pads to replace the paper towels, and labels for a more professional presentation. You will also need dedicated refrigeration units for your packaged greens before they are shipped.
Related: How To Grow Broccoli Microgreens
