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.
Brassica rapa 
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis 
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
For two years I have planted carrots and nothing comes up. My radishes are doing fine.
Daucus carota var. sativus
What can be done to keep bugs and worms from attacking root vegetables?
I want to try to extend my vegetable garden season here in Chicago. Suggestions please.
I live in zone 5 and am anxious to get a jump start on the season. I wanted to start my vegetables from seed this year. How soon do I begin?
Spinacia oleracea
We have been trying to grow beets, radishes and carrots for several years. The radish bulb never forms and the carrots and beets are very small.
Some type of worm or grub is eating my potatoes, beets and carrots. I plant potatoes in two different gardens and they both are affected.
