Melinda Myers

Radish

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 & Care

• Radishes germinate and grow best in cool temperatures of 55°F to 65°F. Warmer temperatures result in poor flavor and bolting.
• Begin sowing 3 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Plant seeds ¹/₄ to ¹/₂ inches deep.
• Thin spring varieties to ¹/₂ to 1 inch apart. Thin larger winter radishes to 6 inches.
• Space rows 12 inches apart
• Radishes can also be sown in an open bed and thinned to ideal spacing
• Radishes help break up the soil for slower maturing carrots, turnips and parsnips when they are sown together
• For a continual harvest, sow in 1 to 2 week intervals until temperatures average 60°F. Resume planting again in fall when the temperatures cool. Or make a single spring planting of different varieties that will mature at different times during the season.
• Radishes mature quickly and can be interplanted with later maturing vegetables such as cabbage, tomato or squash

Problems

Root maggots

Varieties

• 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
• Rivoli - uniform roots with bright white flesh, All-America Selections winner
• Roxanne - bright red roots with creamy white interior, holds well in the garden, AAS winner
• Sweet Baby - purple, white, rose-colored, crunchy and slightly spicy, AAS winner