Raphanus sativus
Botanical Name
Raphanus sativus
Hardiness
Annual, some winter varieties are biennial
Height
6 to 18 inches
Width
6 to 9 inches
Light
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Moist, well-drained, cool
Planting and Care
Radishes perform best in cool weather in soil that maintains adequate moisture. Sow seeds .25 to .5 inches deep. Thin spring varieties to .5-1 inch apart, thin winter radishes to 6 inches. Radishes can be sown in an open bed and thinned to 2-3 inches apart. Radishes mature quickly and make a good intercrop with other vegetables such as cabbage, tomato or squash.
Harvesting
Dig or pull radishes when the root reaches full size (usually starting when the less than an inch). Proper thinning and well-drained soil are important for proper root development.
Problems
Root maggots
Varieties to Consider
'Burpee White' - round, white skin, 25 days to harvest
'Plum Purple' - deep magenta skin, 25 days to harvest
'Icicle' - long, slim, white, 25 days to harvest
'China Rose' - winter radish, white, 52 days to harvest
'Round Black Spanish' - winter radish, black skin, 55 days to harvest
'Plum Purple' - deep magenta skin, 25 days to harvest
'Icicle' - long, slim, white, 25 days to harvest
'China Rose' - winter radish, white, 52 days to harvest
'Round Black Spanish' - winter radish, black skin, 55 days to harvest
Did you know?
Save thinnings of your radishes and use them as tasty additions to salads. Not only is the root portion edible, but the greens are as well.