Radish germination problem

4season · May 16, 2018

For the first time ever my radishes are having poor germination. I know they are supposed to be sensitive to herbicides. I put some mushroom compost on some of the garden and I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of contaminated mushroom compost ?

jmsieglaff · May 16, 2018

The only times I've had germination issues with radishes were planting them too deep or using old seed.

I use bagged mushroom compost in my garden and haven't ever had issues--not to say it couldn't be the case.

Nan_PA_6b · May 16, 2018

Mine didn't germinate well this year; I planted them outdoors, early. Thought they were supposed to be a cold weather vegetable.

Nan

Andrey_BY · May 16, 2018

Radish seeds are very sensible to storage conditions and they are easily getting old after 2-3 years so it's better to soak such seeds.
Sow them 2-4cm deep in the ground.

Nan_PA_6b · May 16, 2018

4 cm deep, for such small seeds? I sow mine about 2-4 mm deep!

Nan

brownrexx · May 16, 2018

My rule of thumb for planting any seed is that the depth should be twice the thickness of the seed and that works pretty well for me.

I also saw on this forum some time ago that some people step on the furrows after planting seeds to make sure that the soil makes good contact with the seeds and I started doing this. I used to just fluff the soil over the seeds but I think that pressing it down does seem to work better.

Andrey_BY · May 17, 2018

It depends on how often you can provide watering to your seeds and what is the soil temperature.
When you grow radish very early in spring in open ground its better to put radish seeds a bit deeper with adding much water in a trench. Also when you sow it in greenhouse and have no opportunity to water them several times a week put your seeds deeper (2-4cm).
In May outdoor and when your greenhouse is near your living house it is enough to sow at 0.5-1cm.

My rules are for once a week (on weekend) care

Lindalana · May 17, 2018

I do pre soak most of my seeds, have germinated some old radish seed and planted early April. It is usually wet and cold here in Chicago so no need for extra watering care.
I gently press them into soil, as long as you sure it is not going to wash out by rain we good to go.

May 16, 2018	#1
4season Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: albuquerque Posts: 308	Radish germination problem For the first time ever my radishes are having poor germination. I know they are supposed to be sensitive to herbicides. I put some mushroom compost on some of the garden and I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of contaminated mushroom compost ?

May 16, 2018	#4
Andrey_BY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minsk, Belarus, Eastern Europe (Zone 4a) Posts: 2,278	Radish seeds are very sensible to storage conditions and they are easily getting old after 2-3 years so it's better to soak such seeds. Sow them 2-4cm deep in the ground. __________________ 1 kg=2.2 lb , 1 m=39,37 in , 1 oz=28.35 g , 1 ft=30.48 cm , 1 lb= 0,4536 kg , 1 in=2.54 cm , 1 l = 0.26 gallon , 0 C=32 F Andrey a.k.a. TOMATODOR

May 17, 2018	#7
Andrey_BY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minsk, Belarus, Eastern Europe (Zone 4a) Posts: 2,278	It depends on how often you can provide watering to your seeds and what is the soil temperature. When you grow radish very early in spring in open ground its better to put radish seeds a bit deeper with adding much water in a trench. Also when you sow it in greenhouse and have no opportunity to water them several times a week put your seeds deeper (2-4cm). In May outdoor and when your greenhouse is near your living house it is enough to sow at 0.5-1cm. My rules are for once a week (on weekend) care __________________ 1 kg=2.2 lb , 1 m=39,37 in , 1 oz=28.35 g , 1 ft=30.48 cm , 1 lb= 0,4536 kg , 1 in=2.54 cm , 1 l = 0.26 gallon , 0 C=32 F Andrey a.k.a. TOMATODOR

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May 16, 2018	#2
jmsieglaff Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southern WI Posts: 2,742	The only times I've had germination issues with radishes were planting them too deep or using old seed. I use bagged mushroom compost in my garden and haven't ever had issues--not to say it couldn't be the case.

May 16, 2018	#3
Nan_PA_6b Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3,194	Mine didn't germinate well this year; I planted them outdoors, early. Thought they were supposed to be a cold weather vegetable. Nan

May 16, 2018	#6
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	My rule of thumb for planting any seed is that the depth should be twice the thickness of the seed and that works pretty well for me. I also saw on this forum some time ago that some people step on the furrows after planting seeds to make sure that the soil makes good contact with the seeds and I started doing this. I used to just fluff the soil over the seeds but I think that pressing it down does seem to work better.

May 17, 2018	#8
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	I do pre soak most of my seeds, have germinated some old radish seed and planted early April. It is usually wet and cold here in Chicago so no need for extra watering care. I gently press them into soil, as long as you sure it is not going to wash out by rain we good to go.