How to Grow Radishes and Carrots in Containers
Oh hello rooftops of Brooklyn, look at how beautiful and empty you are! Think of all the fresh veggies that could be grown here! Think of all the mouths that we could feed! Think of all the happiness harvesting would cause! One day I hope to look out and see all these rooftops full of luscious greens, but until then I’ll just keep on promoting…. 
One of my favorite things to plant are carrots and radishes. These are both easy to plant and we’ve always had success with getting a great yield, even in the Winter time. Lots of people ask me what vegetables they should start out with in beginning gardens and I always suggest carrots and radishes. Radishes are especially great for those new to gardening as they’re ready to pick in less than 30 days which is really helpful when it comes to needing support and motivation. Once you pick your first homegrown radish, then I know you’ll be hooked more to experiment with new vegetables.
How to Grow Radishes and Carrots in Containers
We always plant D’Avignon radishes which are a traditional variety from Southern France. They grow to be about 4 inches long (and oh so pretty!) and they have a crispy crunch with a bit of spice to them. I usually snack on them whole, put in salads or most often use them in fresh pasta dishes full of other vegetables we harvest.
So let’s get planting radishes, alright?
Note: Below I’m planting radishes but we plant carrots the exact same way. So you can use this method to grow them both exactly the same.
Like our entire garden, the radishes get planted in a container. I’ve had success with radishes growing in many sized containers, including small window boxes so don’t feel like you need something big to grow in. This container is about 2×2 feet and will grow 25 radishes, so you really don’t need a lot of space to grow a bunch of radishes. First up, let’s get our potting mix ready with some plant food so these radishes are going to get fed. Feeding your vegetables = big and healthy, so it’s important to fertilize. 
Because this is a smaller container I’m going to want to work the food plant into the potting mix with my hands to make sure it gets worked in good and doesn’t end up burning our plants once they’re planted. For a container this size I use the amount I have in my hand and then another half of it.
First we’re going to sprinkle the plant food over the top of the potting mix. 
Then very lightly work it into the top 1 inch of the potting mix, making sure to evenly distribute it. It’s a good idea to do this every Spring with your containers as the food lasts 2-3 months which is about how long carrots take.
Then you’ll start making your rows. With a rooftop garden, we learn quickly to use all the space we have, so we’ll plant our radish seeds about 4 inches apart. Planting them this close has never been a problem and gives them plenty of room to grow. 
Then one by one they get planted.
I took these pictures a few days ago and already every single seed has come up, so again… radishes rule! 
After you put your seeds in, then cover them up and press on the dirt above them to “lock them in”. Then give them a little water. 
In a few days you’ll see them all start to pop up. Within 2 weeks you’ll be seeing this.
Then around 3-4 weeks your radishes are going to begin popping out of the potting mix. Your heart is going to pitter patter when you see them ready to be picked!
I have never had luck with radishes…thanks for sharing this, Pamela. I might just try it again!
I’m hopefully planting carrots and radishes this weekend. I’m excited for the short time to harvest… since a lot of the other things I’m planting take a lot longer 🙂 Thanks again for sharing.
Pamela, because I read this post, I’m going to attempt to grow radishes this year. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all of this gardening info.
This post is really helpful! I have a very small area on my porch where I plant a few herbs and tomatoes each year. I’ve done garlic once, too. But I’m always tempted to try something else simple and small – this is perfect!
I can remember having radishes on the farm, when I was growing up! I loved them! =)
I just put some carrot seeds in the ground – Pamela – it amazes me every time I read about yalls rooftop garden!
Good for you, Pamela! I’m sure they will turn out perfect…:) ela
I think radishes were the very first seeds I planted when I was a little girl. 🙂
I never had many Luck with growing radishes in any container,…maybe I Will try again!! Thanks.
Living in Phoenix means lots of Rock hard ground & mostly poor soil. We used to do container gardening but forgetting to water them 3 times a day in the summer lost most of my little crop. We all love munching on carrots, radish and cuks. Thanks for the tips!
Hey Gwen, you might want to try sub irrigated planters and wrapping plastic on top, it might help with locking in the moisture so you dont have to waiter 3x a day!
I eat roasted radishes all winter and grilled in the summer. I plant at least three kinds at all times, but my favorites are daikon (fall only), cherry belle, watermelon, and white icicle. Last year I bought black radish at the store, and I need to track down some seeds.
I’ve never tried carrots, because we get deer here, but I’m going to this summer, in containers. I’ve got a couple kinds, but the ones I’m most excited about are Parisienne. THey are short and stubby!
I just planted some radishes yesterday! And used exactly the method you did, including planting them abut 4 inches apart (that’s plenty). I had already fertilized my garden bed, though, a couple of weeks ago, so didn’t have to do that (but I’ll be adding some more in a bit). Gardening is such fun, isn’t it? Although eating the produce is much better! Fun post — thanks.
My mother used to grow radishes and we’d have them almost every night in salads. It’s amazing how quickly they grow and what can be produced in such a small space. Yes, it would be lovely to be able to look out of your apartment window and see lots of green on top of all the roofs xx
Thanks for taking the time to show us how to do this Pamela! Your radishes look so great!
It’s always so inspiring to see everything you grow – I love how pretty your radishes look! I’d love to try to grow carrots this year too 🙂
I love the heart & soul which goes into your beautiful stories. These radishes have me so inspired as to the kind of garden I would love to have one day. Plus the carrots too! We’ll be moving into my own home sometime next year and the garden I always dreamt of will hopefully be ours.
Radishes included!
I’ve never tried radishes or carrots… hmmm I’ve been missing out!
I still haven’t planted radishes. But it’s on the list this year. Guess I need to get on that now! So I can be enjoying them by June I suppose. Awesome!
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I am unable to grow radishes at all. I love them but the never get bulbs. Always string. I have planted in my garden and in containers with garden soil. Nothing! I’ve grown them in the past at my other house no problems. Any ideas?
Hey Sue, are you fertilizing? Do you have access to compost to add to your garden? Also, if you’re using containers use potting mix – never regular soil.