Korean Mu

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Crisp at first bite, Korean Mu forms a long, elegant winter radish with a clean, bright bite and a pleasantly mild heat that lingers like fresh pepper on the palate.

The flesh stays firm and juicy with a fine, even grain—ideal for slicing into tender rounds that hold their shape, and for bold flavor-building preparations where its sweetness can come forward. Grow Korean Mu for a dependable 55-day harvest that rewards cool-season patience with a striking, market-ready root.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Korean Mu 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Korean Mu hits with a crisp, peppery bite that stays photogenic in slices—no grainy breakage, no mushy surrender. Use it raw for snap under heavy sauces, or cook just to coax sweetness while preserving that juicy center.

Best Uses

thin rounds or batons for kimchi-style crunch and fast pickling
grated radish for quick dipping sauces and dumpling fillings
wilt/sauté in a hot pan just long enough to soften edges while keeping the interior juicy
roasted wedges for caramelized sweetness with still-not-mushy structure

Flavor Profile

clean, bright radish bite mild heat with a peppery linger crisp, juicy snap with fine even grain cool-season sweetness that shows up in cooked applications

Kitchen Pairings

soy sauce sesame oil gochujang miso ginger chile paste

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects winter radish (Raphanus sativus), and how do I treat it?

Flea beetles commonly attack radish seedlings in Brassicaceae, leaving tiny shot holes on leaves. Use floating row cover immediately after sowing and keep it on until plants are well established; if damage appears, spray a labeled insecticidal soap and repeat as directed. For disease, watch for clubroot (swollen, distorted roots) and avoid planting in the same bed—remove infected plants and use fresh or amended soil to reduce recurrence.

How often should I water Korean mu (winter radish, Raphanus sativus) during the main growing phase?

After germination, keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially from when roots start swelling until harvest. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and rainfall; aim for moisture at the root zone so the bed doesn’t dry out between waterings. If the soil swings between very dry and very wet, roots are more likely to become woody or crack.

How can I tell when Korean mu (Raphanus sativus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when the roots have reached the expected size for your sowing spacing and the shoulders look full and firm. Gently pull one plant to check root diameter—if the root is still thin or elongated, give it more time. Once the roots are firm to the touch, harvest promptly because overgrown winter radish can become tougher and more pungent.