Radish
Raphanus sativus · Cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
| Hardiness zones | 2 to 11 |
|---|---|
| Sun | full sun |
| Water | moderate |
| Life cycle | annual |
| Frost | Hardy: takes frost |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 1 to 2 inches |
| Days to harvest | 21 to 35 days |
| Soil temperature to plant | at least 40°F |
About Radish
Radishes are the fastest crop in most gardens, ready in about a month from seed. Spring radishes like cool weather; larger winter radishes such as daikon are sown in late summer.
Grown as a cool-season annual in every zone; time it for the cool weather of spring or fall.
When to plant
Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.
- Sow seeds outdoors: 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost
- Fall planting: 4 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost
Days count from seeding: 3 to 5 weeks for garden radishes; winter radishes need about 45 to 70 days. Sow small batches every 10 to 14 days in spring.
Soil
Any well-drained soil loosened at least 6 inches deep, or 12 inches for long types.
Have the soil tested and keep pH about 6 to 7; work in well-rotted compost or manure and fertilize before planting.
Feeding
Fresh manure or quick-release nitrogen can make roots fork; never use weed-and-feed products.
Harvest
Pull as soon as roots reach eating size, usually under an inch across for round types. Left too long, or grown slowly in dry soil, they turn pithy and hot.
Pull each radish once, about 3 to 5 weeks after sowing, before it turns fibrous and hot. Sow in spring and again in August for a fall crop.
Varieties (28)
| Variety | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April Cross | Daikon | Long white daikon radish. | |
| Minowase (Summer Cross) | Daikon | Carrot-shaped daikon with white skin. | |
| Miyashige | Daikon | 65 days | Long white daikon. |
| Rat's Tail | Pod radish | Grown for its crisp edible seed pods rather than a root; plants can reach several feet tall. | |
| Easter Egg | Spring (mixed colors) | 25 days | Round roots in a mix of red, purple and white. |
| Amethyst | Spring (round purple) | Purple radish recommended in Kansas and North Dakota. | |
| Bacchus | Spring (round purple) | Purple radish that has done well in several North Dakota trials. | |
| Plum Purple | Spring (round purple) | Gardeners in North Dakota trials favored its taste. Purple-skinned radish. | |
| Champion | Spring (round red) | 20 to 28 days | Scarlet, deep oval root with large tops. |
| Cherriette | Spring (round red) | 24 days | Red radish recommended in Wisconsin and Texas. |
| Cherry Belle | Spring (round red) | 21 to 22 days | Crisp, solid flesh. Round, cherry-red root about 3/4 inch across with short tops. |
| Early Scarlet Globe | Spring (round red) | 24 days | Crisp, mild white flesh. Bright scarlet globe. |
| Red Silk | Spring (round red) | 28 days | Red radish recommended for Kentucky gardens. |
| Rover | Spring (round red) | 21 days | Early, reliable and uniform red radish. |
| Roxanne | Spring (round red) | Large, round, bright red roots. | |
| Sora | Spring (round red) | Red radish recommended after North Dakota trials. | |
| Pearl | Spring (round white) | 28 days | Crunchy and moderately spicy. Pure white hybrid radish that was vigorous and high-yielding in North Dakota trials. |
| Snow Belle | Spring (round white) | 30 days | Crisp and mild. Round, white hybrid radish. |
| Red Head | Spring (round, two-tone) | Two-tone radish recommended after North Dakota trials. | |
| Sparkler | Spring (round, two-tone) | 25 days | Round, two-toned red-and-white root about 1 inch across. |
| White Icicle | Spring/summer (long white) | 28 to 30 days | Crisp white flesh. Long, slim white root that tapers to a point. |
| D'Avignon | Spring/summer (oblong) | French-type radish with slender roots, red on top and white at the tip. | |
| French Breakfast | Spring/summer (oblong) | Slender, oblong red root with a white tip. | |
| China Rose | Winter | 52 days | Pungent white flesh. Long root with deep rose skin. |
| Long Black Spanish | Winter | Black radishes have an earthy, pungent flavor. Long, tapered root with black skin. | |
| Round Black Spanish | Winter | 55 days | Pungent white flesh with an earthy bite. Large globe 3 1/2 to 4 inches across with black skin. |
| Watermelon (Red Meat) | Winter | 60 days | Round root with pale green-and-white skin and a bright rosy-red interior. |
| White Chinese (Celestial) | Winter (Asian) | 60 days | Crisp, mild white flesh. White root 6 to 8 inches long and about 3 inches across. |
Good neighbors
Extension sources suggest radishes as a quick space-filler among carrots or at the base of broccoli, not as pest control.
Pests to watch for
Flea beetles, Wireworms, Harlequin bug, Bagrada bug, Beet armyworm, Cabbage maggot, Seedcorn maggot, Blister beetles
Diseases and problems
Alternaria leaf spot, Black rot, Clubroot, Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, White rust, Common scab, Turnip mosaic
In the kitchen
Eaten raw in salads and on snacks, pickled, or roasted.
Keeping it: Cut off the greens, then keep radishes in a loosely closed bag in the fridge; they stay crisp for weeks, up to about a month. Radishes don't freeze well.
Pets: Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA
Sources
- extension.umn.edu
- extension.illinois.edu
- extension.unh.edu
- monroe.cce.cornell.edu
- extension.colostate.edu
- yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- warren.cce.cornell.edu
- extension.umn.edu
- extension.umd.edu
- extension.oregonstate.edu
Photo: Photo: Jengod, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo resized for the web.
Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.