Growing Radishes Indoors: Concerns about Soil Choice and Pests

11 years ago

I couldn't find a section dedicated to indoor gardening. I hope it's okay to post this here.

I want to grow radishes from seeds, and doing it outdoors is not an option. I've read that it can be done indoors, but I'm left with two concerns.

Some directions said to use "sterilized" soil, while others said that if I don't use compost, my vegetables will not contain the nutrients that make the vegetable healthy. I ended up buying Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix:

For container vegetables, fruits, flowers & herbs

Made from natural & organic ingredients

Continuously feeds up to 2 months

#1. Is this a good soil to grow radishes (and other vegetables) indoors?

#2. I can't have bugs. I live in a tiny apartment and don't have a special area I can dedicate to these vegetables. They are going to have to sit in the same window as my houseplants. If I use this potting mix "as is," will I get bugs? If I use an insecticide, can I get completely rid of the bugs and not have them spread to my other plants or have them crawling/flying around my apartment?

Is my choice to grow these radishes indoors a realistic one?

I sure would appreciate any and all opinions. This will be my first plant grown from seed, my first edible plant, and my first edible plant grown indoors.

By the way, how do you get seeds from radishes??

Thank you!

Dave

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Comments (4)

jimster
11 years ago
The idea of growing radishes (and lettuce) indoors year 'round is interesting. I've thought about trying it. Maybe your post will spur me to actually do it.

I think any potting mix would be fine. Insects will not be a problem.

Vegetables need a lot of light. I would use 4 foot florescent shop lights running 14 hours per day and located very close to the top of the plants.

Jim
nephifofum
Original Author
11 years ago
weirdtrev - I have a SMALL amount of room to grow radishes indoors, while I have NO opportunity to grow them outdoors (no garden space, stray cats that like to pee on everything, hateful neighbors who wouldn't hesitate to steal the vegetables or the whole pot for that matter, etc.) I have room for a 10" pot; I just don't have a separate section, like a garage or a balcony, to grown them, and I was worried about pests harming my house plants. I chose radishes because they are a second season vegetable and go from seeds to edibles in a relatively short amount of time. I was just curious about how radish seeds are "made." I have already ordered a packet of Fire 'N Ice seeds from Burpee.

jimster - Thanks for the advice. I will probably have to do something with artificial light, as this is WA, and our days of sun will be disappearing before too long.
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jimster
11 years ago
For a 10" pot, a high wattage compact florescent bulb in one of those aluminum clip on reflectors may work. But I have not done that so don't take my word for it. Do a little research before making the investment.

Jim