Self, en:User:Jengod / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Radish
Raphanus
Edible
Edible PartsRoots
Overview
The fastest vegetable from seed to table, some radish varieties are ready to harvest in just 21 days. This makes them the perfect crop for impatient gardeners, children's gardens, and interplanting between slower-growing vegetables. Beyond the familiar small red globe, radishes come in an astonishing variety — from watermelon radishes with green exteriors and hot-pink flesh to giant daikon and black Spanish storage types.
Growing Conditions
LightPartial Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones5 — 10
Height0.8m
Spread0.17m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeLoose, well-drained, sandy loam free of rocks
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — Jul | Direct sow; succession plant every 2 weeks |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Apr — May | Spring sowing; succession plant biweekly |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sowing |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Jun | Pull when 1" diameter |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Mar — May | Spring sowing |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Aug — Oct | Fall sowing — best quality |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — Jun | Harvest promptly at maturity |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Feb — Mar | Cool-season crop; sow early spring |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Nov | Fall through early winter |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Mar — Apr | Harvest before heat |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Feb (wraps) | Cool-season only |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Nov — Mar (wraps) | Winter harvest |
Uses
Culinary
- Raw with butter and salt — the French classic
- Roasted for a mild, sweet side dish
- Pickled for tacos and bánh mì
Medicinal
- Rich in vitamin C and glucosinolates
- Traditional digestive stimulant
- Contains compounds that support liver detoxification
Other Uses
- Fastest-growing vegetable for succession planting
- Row markers sown with slow-germinating seeds like carrots
