Chinese Red

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly crisp and vividly peppery at once, Chinese Red radish forms a jewel-bright red globe with a clean, snowy interior that snaps with every bite.

At about 25 days from sowing, its tender texture stays pleasantly fine—ideal for fresh, quick salads and vibrant garnishes where color and crunch matter most. Grow it for that first-spring burst of flavor: a refreshing bite that livens up simple plates and makes every harvest feel like a small celebration.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 25 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Chinese Red Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Direct Sow	Jun 15th	Jul 10th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jun 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jun 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jun 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jun 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	May 29th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	May 26th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	May 20th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	May 15th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 5th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Apr 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Apr 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Mar 31st – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 6th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 26th – Feb 28th

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

Chinese Red radish is built for speed: slice it paper-thin so the peppery heat blooms without turning harsh, while the interior stays crisp and juicy. Its sweet-crisp edge plays especially well with salty, tangy, and toasted flavors—think soy, vinegar, ginger—where it acts like an edible exclamation point on the plate.

Best Uses

thin-sliced raw salads where it stays snappy under light dressing
crisp garnishes for noodle bowls and tacos to cut through richness
quick-pickles (short brine) that keep the radish jewel-bright and crunchy
grated radish in finishing sauces for a fast, spicy lift

Flavor Profile

sweet-forward bite with vivid peppery snap juicy, glassy crunch clean, milky interior with quick-spreading heat

Kitchen Pairings

soy sauce ginger sesame oil rice vinegar lime chili oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Raphanus sativus (Chinese Red) and how do I control it?

Flea beetles frequently chew small pits in radish leaves, which can stunt plants within a week. Use insect netting/row cover immediately after sowing and keep it on until most plants are well established; if damage is heavy, treat with an insecticidal soap and reapply per label after new feeding starts. For disease, watch for damp, collapsing stems from poor airflow—water at the soil line and avoid overcrowding to reduce damping-off and leaf spotting.

How often should I water Chinese Red radishes during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist from germination through bulbing (roughly the first 2–3 weeks), not soggy. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries, typically about 1 inch per week total depending on heat and wind; more frequent light watering can help in hot spells but avoid waterlogging. Uneven moisture can cause cracked or woody roots, so aim for steady moisture rather than irregular soak-and-dry cycles.

How can I tell when my Chinese Red radishes (Raphanus sativus) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the roots are about 1–2 inches across (for many Chinese radishes) and feel firm, usually around 25 days after sowing. Don’t let them sit too long after they size up—overmature radishes can become pithy or stronger-flavored. If you’re unsure, gently pull one and check the root diameter before harvesting the rest.