Long Black

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Long Black to a garden.

Sink your senses into Long Black’s velvety, inky skin—an elegant black radish that feels almost lacquered in the hand.

Beneath the dark exterior lies crisp, bright flesh with a clean, peppery snap that mellows beautifully when allowed to reach full size at about 55 days. Ideal for bold fresh slices and striking grated accents, Long Black also shines in quick pickling for a dramatic color contrast and lively bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Long Black 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)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Long Black’s inky exterior and crisp, peppery bite make it a showpiece when served cold—thin slices keep that snap and don’t turn soft under dressing. If you let it size up, the heat calms, so it plays beautifully with yogurt and butter or gets its best behavior in quick pickles where the color stays dramatic.

Best Uses

paper-thin fresh slices with flaky salt and a sharp vinegar dressing
grated radish for fast, peppery crunch in slaws and grain bowls
quick pickling for high-contrast color and a bracing, snappy bite
hot applications like a brief sauté or roasted dice to soften the pepper edge

Flavor Profile

inky-skin peppery snap crisp, watery crunch mellows to gentle radish sweetness with size clean finish that can tingle the back of the throat

Kitchen Pairings

butter honey vinegar (rice or cider) lime salted pork (bacon, lardons) Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects radish (Raphanus sativus) like Long Black, and what should I do?

For Raphanus sativus, flea beetles commonly cause small shot-hole damage on leaves, especially in warm weather. Cover seedlings with a fine mesh row cover until plants are well established, and hand-remove heavily damaged foliage to slow spread. If you see fungal leaf spots or a grayish mold from overly wet conditions, water at the soil line and improve spacing for airflow.

How often should I water Long Black radishes during their main growth phase to form a good root?

During root bulking (roughly weeks 3–6), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, since radishes that swing between dry and wet can become woody or cracked. Mulch lightly to reduce moisture swings while avoiding a thick layer that stays wet.

How can I tell when Long Black radish (Raphanus sativus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest around 55 days, but confirm by checking the shoulder of the root at the soil surface. When the root is firm and roughly 1.5–2.5 inches wide (and the skin looks fully colored), pull it before it gets hollow or pithy. If you see the leaves fading and the root feels overly firm/woody, harvest immediately to preserve eating quality.