Radishes, a root crop, are easy to grow and prefer cooler climates (typically around 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). There are a variety of radishes to choose from to add to your radish farm business, including the red radish, the black radish and the white radish, among others. Radishes are a great source of vitamin C as well as several healthy minerals, and they are often used as a garnishment or in salads, due to their peppery flavor and beautiful color contrast.

If becoming a radish grower is not part of your business plan, you can still add this nutritious crop to your food business. There are a variety of radish farmers, including those that grow organic radishes, that will distribute radishes in all corners of the country. Before you enter the radish business, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you want to purchase radish seeds in order to grow radishes on your own?

2. Would you prefer to buy radishes from radish wholesalers?

3. Do you want to focus on radish producers that offer organic radishes?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Grow your own radishes

Unlike its more temperamental produce cousins, radishes are quite easy to grow and can handle cooler climates, provided the plant has quality, moist soil. When purchasing radish seeds, choose ones that will grow best in your soil and climate conditions, just as you would any other plant.

I recommend: Main Street Seed & Supply Company has several varieties of radishes available, such as Cherry Belle, Hailstone and Easter Egg radish. Gourmet Seed International is another great source for popular varieties of radish seeds.

Choose from radish plant producers across the country

Fresh, quality radishes can be had even without growing them on your own. Research the many radish suppliers out there, and choose ones that seem to focus on the type of radishes you or your customers want most.

I recommend: Katsiroubas Bros. is a Boston-based fruit and vegetable wholesaler that offers clean and snipped radishes, sliced radishes or bunched radishes. Vinyard Fruit & Vegetable Co. has an extensive line of fruit and vegetable products, including radishes.

Find organic radish plant growers

Take freshness and quality one step further by exploring organic radishes. Just like most produce today, the cost of organic radishes has gone down as more and more customers are eating up the stuff.

I recommend: Cal-Organic Farms offers red radishes and Easter Egg radishes, in addition to other organic produce. Diamond Organics supplies organic black radishes to food companies by the pound.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can find plenty of radish information online to help you learn how to grow radishes. Also ask your local nursery or a local farmer for helpful growing tips.