Ok, so my landlord won't let us grow vegetables outside. I've been seeing a lot of posts on Facebook about growing them in recycled plastic containers, like soda bottles, water jugs etc. I'd like to try growing Radishes indoors like this. I've never tried anything like this. Can you grow radishes completely indoors? Any ideas or tips would be great. Thanks.

I don't think there's any reason you couldn't grow radishes indoors. I would be inclined to use a larger container than a soda bottle if you're growing them for the roots, as you will want to give them enough space to expand (you can also plant the seeds close together and harvest the young greens to eat). They'll need a good light source, either a sunny window or a grow light, and be sure whatever container you use has drainage holes in the bottom. Good luck, sounds like a nice winter project!

I have plenty of gallon water jugs, do you think that is deep enough? I'd prefer using something translucent or clear so I can see the radishes if they're ready, lol I do have regular pots that are deeper but I can't see thru it. I'm not sure about how deep they grow?

Depends on the radish you are growing, most are round and about half the size of a golfball - maybe a teaspoon full? Some are long and more like a 3" or 4" carrot. You will need to cut your gallon jug just below the handle so you can use the top as a 'greenhouse' effect. You really don't want to watch the radish grow as light isn't good for the root. It will pop up above the surface of the soil as it matures so you will see the size of your radish. Look for 'dtm' (days to maturity) as this tells you how long from first true leaf til harvest.

Vajmisc, I'd be interested in seeing how this works out for you - please consider posting some followup photos for us, either here or you can start a thread in the "all things gardening" forum.

The radish's I picked are the white icicle kind so maybe an inch to 2 inches, I think. I'll have to double check the packet. Kat, I'm not sure how you would do this 'greenhouse' effect with the top of the jug, could you explain further? Weedwhacker, I can certainly keep a photo log of the process, it's all new to me too. Thanks for the idea and your interest.

You are basically creating a terrarium effect, and most icicles are longer than they tell you, so give them at least 4" dirt. Let me see if I have a jug of milk, chuckl

Ok, you want the top so cut in a way it is still attached, this is so the water doesn't linger in the bottom and rot your dirt and plants, mist the seeds and place where soil temps are above 60*. Does that soil temp sound right @Weedwhacker?

I don't know about where you live, but radishes are about 99c a bunch here. I can't imagine how you could grow them cheaper than buying them.
Why bother if you don't have the outside space?

Try it for the experience, if it interests you.
Radishes outside need to grow fast in fertile soil. Some potting mix comes with some level of fertilizer ( would say it on the bag) and most have no fertilizer included.

Whatever this does for you, if you enjoy the process, consider microgreens, or lettuce. The hydroponic 'local' lettuce I buy is about a dollar per ounce/ $16 per pound.
Sadly, I am having poor luck with indoor pot grown lettuce.

vajmisc said: Ok, so my landlord won't let us grow vegetables outside.

Ok... This sux.
Time To consider looking for alternatives...

Wouldn't know about radishes indoors...
Seems like you would need some kind of a cold room.
I've been pulling radish for people that I planted them for... over the last month... A winter crop here... Definitely not something I would attempt at room temperature.

For me growing vegetables isn't about saving money. Its about the accomplishment and doing something a little closer to nature. Plus I like the local flavor, which you can't get at the grocery.

That said give your radishes a try. I would worry about them bolting due to you indoor temperatures and lack of light. If those are problems try to find a variety that is "slow to bolt" and/or add a grow light.

Other things to try indoors are basil, microgreens of all sorts, pea greens, arugula, lettuces and scallions.

Good luck!

A few of my thoughts -
I totally agree that this isn't about how much radishes cost to buy at the store - you could also easily point out that what I spend on my vegetable garden is more than what I would spend to buy vegetables at the store.

If your "room temperature" is too high, then no, radishes probably won't do well; our house stays around 68-70°F during the winter, which I think would be fine for the radishes. A little cooler would be optimal but they really aren't all that fussy.

Icicle radishes may not be the best variety to try growing in a milk jug; but you can give it a try and just harvest them before they're full grown if they seem to be getting too large. If you have a container deeper than a cut-off milk jug, I would use it - if not, go ahead and try the milk jug. Again, be sure you poke some drainage holes in the bottom (and then set the jug on something to catch any water that drains through). Use potting soil, not dirt from outside, and moisten it before filling the container. Gently firm it down to level the top, put your seeds on top, then cover with about half an inch of more of the moistened potting soil and pat that down. Lightly water the top - use a mister, or just carefully add a little more water over the whole thing - then cover with some plastic wrap (or the top of the milk jug or whatever) to keep things from drying out while the seeds are sprouting; if a seed starts to sprout, then is allowed to dry up, it will be dead and won't start growing again. Once there are some little green leaves popping up, take the covering off the container; if the plants are too crowded - they should be at least an inch apart - pull some of the seedlings out (you can rinse them off and toss them on a salad if you like). Keep them watered but not soggy. As they grow, if you left the plants about an inch apart, you can start pulling some out to give the others room to get larger.

Mostly, have fun! This is a good simple project to get a feel for how to grow plants from seed (and maybe even get some radishes to eat in the process).

Exactly, it's just for fun, not the price and the stores around here don't sell the icicle kind. My room is 68 degrees so it should be ok. I'm not going to use the milk jug type, I've seen water jugs which are square and don't have handles. It gives me more room and I think looks better. Thanks for the encouragement!

68 degrees still seems pretty warm.
This past autumn... The first plantings were planted too early, and I got nothing but leaves...
Very healthy looking plants... but no tubers... If someone was looking to eat radish leaves... coulda set them up... I understand that you can cook them like mustard...

So for WeedWacker request to post follow up. Some pictures, this is what I decided to use for the radish's. It's deeper and I liked the width.


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These are the radishes I planted. I put drainage stones on the bottom. Than potting soil mixed with compost. The top 2 inches are seedlings soil. Then I put the seeds in (which are really small) and covered with a sprinkling of soil. I watered, then covered the top with Saran Wrap except for a corner where I put a grow light. Yeah, after 4-5 days I have a spout! Waiting for the rest.

Watch the hours on your growlight, be sure they get a night rest, I think ve read that too many hours per day of light causes them to bolt instead of grow roots. If I find a source on that, I'll post.
Still trying. 12 hours light according to one video but who knows if they're reliable. Just don't go like 18 hours of light.

Sally, that's good to know. I think I might have them on too long, I just tend to forget them until I go to bed. I'll keep any eye on it. I have noticed that the seeds on the side the light is physically in is sprouting, while the further side nothing has sprouted. I do have the light at it's highest elevation and tilted so it should cover the container?