Cherry Belle

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Crisp as fresh-cut glass, Cherry Belle radishes burst with a sweet, clean snap and a delicately peppery finish.

At maturity they form perfectly round, uniform bulbs with a bright cherry-red skin and crisp white interiors, tender enough for effortless enjoyment straight from the garden. Ideal for salad radishes—lovely sliced for fresh plates, or quick-pickled for a tangy, colorful bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 25 DaysHabit: Taproot

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	May 20th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	25
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Cherry Belle is built for eating cold and raw—its sugar-forward bite and crisp, uniform texture hold up on a knife edge without turning woody. Use it as the crunch centerpiece: butter/cheese mellow the peppery finish, and quick-pickling lets the red skin stay vivid while the interior keeps its snap.

Best Uses

paper-thin slices on buttered bread or bagels for a peppery-crunch pop
quick-pickling in cider vinegar for a tangy, jewel-tone garnish
raw salad radish plates with flaky salt to keep the crunch intact
brief sauté or quick roast only to soften—use sparingly to avoid losing the snap

Flavor Profile

sweet, clean snap delicately peppery finish crisp, glassy crunch with tender interior slightly piquant, not harsh

Kitchen Pairings

butter soft goat cheese sour cream or crème fraîche cider vinegar fresh dill sea salt

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease pest issue for Raphanus sativus (Cherry Belle radish), and how do I fix it?

Watch for powdery mildew and leaf spots, which show up as white/gray powder or dark specks on radish leaves—especially when nights are cool and air stays humid. Improve airflow by spacing plants and water at the soil line (not on leaves), then remove badly infected leaves to slow spread. If it’s severe, switch to an appropriate labeled fungicide for edible Brassicaceae and follow label timing close to harvest (25 days total).

How often should I water Cherry Belle radish during the main growth phase?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist from germination through bulbing so radishes don’t turn pithy or woody. Water lightly but frequently—enough to wet the top 2–3 inches—typically about 1 inch per week total, split into smaller waterings during warm or dry spells. If the soil dries out between waterings, expect faster “spicey” texture and poorer bulb formation.

How do I tell when Cherry Belle radish is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the bulbs are fully formed and reach the expected diameter for Cherry Belle, usually around 25 days after sowing. Check by gently pulling one radish—if the bulb is crisp and the skin is smooth with no long, stretched neck, it’s ready. Don’t wait too long after maturity because radishes become hollow and tougher quickly.