Long White

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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

Crisp and luminous, Long White winter radish delivers a clean, cool snap with a gently peppery edge that mellows beautifully as the roots mature.

The long, slender white roots hold a smooth, firm texture and stay attractive in the garden, making them as satisfying to grow as they are to savor. Ideal for roasting until tender, grating into bright winter slaws, and pickling for a crisp, tangy bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Long White 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)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Long White winter radish is all about that luminous, firm crunch with a peppery edge that softens into something almost sweet when heated. It’s built for jobs where texture matters—roasting for tenderness without mush, or grating/pickling so the bite stays crisp instead of turning mealy.

Best Uses

roast until just tender to sweeten the peppery edge and deepen the crunch-to-creaminess transition
grate for winter slaw where it stays crisp under dressing
quick-pickle for a tight, tangy bite that holds structure
slice thin for crisp salads that don’t go rubbery

Flavor Profile

cool, clean radish snap gentle peppery bite that mellows with maturity smooth, firm crunch with minimal pithiness

Kitchen Pairings

butter black pepper lime honey carrots miso

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A frequent issue is flea beetle damage, which causes small shot-hole holes in radish leaves and can stunt growth. Use floating row cover from sowing until the plants are established, then remove to allow pollinator access if needed; for heavy pressure, apply an approved insecticidal soap and reapply per label after rain. If you see leaf yellowing and downy/moldy growth, remove badly affected leaves and avoid wetting foliage to reduce spread.

How often should I water Raphanus sativus during the main growing phase?

During bulbing (roughly weeks 3–6), keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and container size. Water lightly but more frequently during hot spells so the soil doesn’t dry out; irregular moisture is a common cause of pithy or woody radishes. Check by feel: the top 1 inch should stay damp, not soggy.

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

Harvest when the roots reach the expected size and feel firm—usually around 55 days from sowing, but check early by gently pulling one plant. The skin should look smooth and the top of the root should be well-formed; if it’s still narrow or soft, give it a few more days. Don’t wait too long, because prolonged time in the ground can lead to tough texture and a stronger, more pungent bite.