Radish
Raphanus sativus • Brassicaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Southeast Asia, widely cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical regions
📅 Days to Maturity
20 to 30 days from direct sowing, harvest promptly when roots reach mature size to avoid pithiness
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11, grown primarily as a hardy annual
About This Seed
Small, round, dark brown to reddish-black spherical seeds with a smooth to slightly pitted texture. The resulting plant is a fast-growing, cool-season root vegetable with lobed leaves and edible crisp root tubers.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Early Spring and Fall, direct sow outdoors, highly frost tolerant
Germination
3 to 10 days, optimal soil temperature 45-85 degrees Fahrenheit, high germination rate, requires shallow planting, no pre-treatment needed
Planting Instructions
Plant 0.25 to 0.5 inches deep, spaced 1 inch apart in rows 12 inches apart, thin to 2 inches apart, prefers loose, well-draining sandy loam soil with pH 6.0-7.0
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (6-8 hours of sunlight daily), consistent and even watering to prevent roots from splitting, moderate drought tolerance
Companion Plants
Good companions include lettuce, spinach, carrots, and peas; avoid planting near hyssop or cabbage family members if pests are an issue
Special Characteristics
Fast maturity, excellent for cool weather, good source of vitamin C, helps break up compact soil