Radish seedlings not sprouting after 6 days zone 6a

Joao Winckler wrote:Six days is still pretty normal honestly, especially if your soil is on the cool side. Radishes can take anywhere from 4 to 10 days depending on temperature, and zone 6a in spring the soil might not be as warm as the air feels. I wouldn't worry yet. The pooling water thing is worth sorting when you can though, waterlogged seeds tend to rot before they sprout.

Anne Miller wrote:I agree, your soil may not be warm enough, area could be too shady, etc.

May Lotito wrote:I am wondering how your spring and early summer weather is like. I am in zone 6a, and historical data shows 50% chance of frost free after April 15. I sowed my seeds 6 weeks prior to that date and did encountered three below freezing temperatures.  With protection they are doing fine and actually bolting already. I harvested some radishes last week and the remaining ones are sending flower stalks. So the window for cool season veggies can be very short, depending on your location. Hardness zone is an indication of how cold it can get in winter. If you are in the coastal region with maritime climate, you are fine. But I do feel you can have warm season veggie seedlings ready in case it gets hot quickly.

zach sabri wrote:

May Lotito wrote:I am wondering how your spring and early summer weather is like. I am in zone 6a, and historical data shows 50% chance of frost free after April 15. I sowed my seeds 6 weeks prior to that date and did encountered three below freezing temperatures.  With protection they are doing fine and actually bolting already. I harvested some radishes last week and the remaining ones are sending flower stalks. So the window for cool season veggies can be very short, depending on your location. Hardness zone is an indication of how cold it can get in winter. If you are in the coastal region with maritime climate, you are fine. But I do feel you can have warm season veggie seedlings ready in case it gets hot quickly.

My area says average day that last frost is is May 4th (SW New Hampshire). Do you use mulch for protection?
The last snow we got was april 7th this year. Daytime temps are in between 45 to 70 degrees spring into early summer. Lots of rain in May/June usually

May Lotito wrote:It looks like yours is very mild and still has a good amount of growing season ahead. Small seeds like lettuce, carrot and brassica don't like to be buried deep as they carry little reserves. I just broadcast and thin later. For cold protection, I cover with a wool or fleece blanket when needed. Some people start seedlings indoors and transplant larger plants into mulched bed. That would work too. Have you heard of the Ruth Stout method of deep mulching? It is suited to your local weather being developed in the New England region.

Riona Abhainn wrote:Well usually that's enough sun for radishes.  I know that, for me, the roots get bigger each time I grow them.  When I first started they were very spindly, but this year they mostly all got much bigger.  Why?  Well I'm not totally sure, but one reason may be that I leave them in the ground longer than I used to so as to give them more time.  One can technically harvest them sooner but mine do better with a longer growing window.

Noah Robinson wrote:It sounds to me like your soil could be too nitrogen heavy, or maybe not enough phosphorus? I think the former is quite common, and if the soil has too much nitrogen radish can focus more on leaf development rather than roots.
It would also make sense that your greens have done so well while your roots have struggled.
If you keep growing in the same spot the nitrogen will deplete and you should get better results. Hopefully your spinach and lettuce will eat some of that up and help out the radish.

zach sabri wrote:
i am using a 50 compost /50 loam mix i am thinking next year for my roots section i might move over the 50/50 mix to the side and add a different mix with less nitrogen for the top 8 inches of soil

another update is my broccoli bolted instead of growing florets after a heat wave LOL. Its a good learning process this year and i will still harvest the leaves and stem from the broccoli