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
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