Crimson Giant

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Crimson Giant to a garden.

Peppery-crisp and richly vivid, Crimson Giant radish forms a bold, ruby-red globe that seems to glow against its cool green foliage.

The flesh stays tender and juicy with a clean, refreshing bite—ideal for bright, quick salads and vibrant garnish. At just about 28 days, this market-class radish delivers fast, satisfying harvests with a striking color that makes every platter look freshly dressed.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 28 DaysHabit: Taproot

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Crimson Giant 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 13th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jun 29th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jun 22nd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 12th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 12th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jun 16th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 12th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jun 10th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 5th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 1st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	May 29th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	May 23rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	May 18th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 8th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Apr 29th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 3rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 9th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Oct 29th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Crimson Giant is the radish you reach for when you want heat that stays bright—its juicy crunch doesn’t collapse into mush, even when dressed and served quickly. It’s built for sharp, clean partners (citrus, vinegar, dairy) that tame the pepper without sanding off the snap.

Best Uses

thin slices on buttered rye with flaky salt
ice-cold salad radish with citrus vinaigrette
grated radish-jicama style slaw for tacos and bowls
quick pickling for a ruby, snappy relish

Flavor Profile

sharp peppery bite crisp juicy snap clean, cooling finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon feta black pepper lamb white vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Raphanus sativus (Crimson Giant radish) plants getting leaf spots or mildew, and what should I do?

In radish, frequent leaf wetness can lead to fungal leaf spots (often worse in crowded beds with poor airflow). Remove badly affected leaves, thin seedlings so they aren’t touching, and water at the soil line rather than overhead. If the problem keeps spreading, apply an approved fungicide labeled for Brassicaceae leaf diseases and focus on preventing further leaf wetting.

How often should I water Raphanus sativus during the main growing phase to keep Crimson Giant roots crisp?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist from germination through root bulking, aiming for damp-but-not-soggy conditions. In warm periods, this often means watering lightly about once per day or every 1–2 days, but only if the top 1 inch of soil is drying. Uneven watering can cause cracked or pithy radishes.

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

Harvest when the roots are fully sized—typically about 28 days from sowing—and when the top of the radish is clearly swollen at or near the soil surface. Pull one sample radish early to confirm size and tenderness; if it’s still small or woody, wait a few more days. Leaving radishes in the ground too long after they’re mature can lead to a tougher, hotter flavor.