Rudolf

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Crisp as fresh-cut glass, Rudolf radishes arrive in just 25 days with a clean, bright bite and a delicately sweet finish.

Their smooth, satiny skins glow in a vivid scarlet-red over a slender white tip, while the flesh stays tender-crunchy—ideal for quick, vibrant salads and garnish-worthy platters. Grow Rudolf for a fast, eye-catching harvest that turns every bowl into a rosy, refreshing moment.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 25 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Rudolf 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	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

Rudolf’s speed and tight, tender-crunch make it a radish for people who hate soggy roots—slice it thin and let the bite stay intact. Its sweet finish plays especially well with creamy dairy and sharp citrus, so you can build contrast without muting the flavor.

Best Uses

thin slices on buttered bread with flaky salt (no soaking—keep the snap)
tossed salad greens with acidic vinaigrette for a pop of color and crunch
micro-sliced garnish on tacos, ramen, or grain bowls
quick-pickled rounds for a fast tang without losing texture

Flavor Profile

clean, bright radish bite snap-to-juice crunch with tender flesh delicately sweet finish light peppery crucifer warmth

Kitchen Pairings

butter feta lemon fresh dill black pepper Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects radish (Raphanus sativus), and how can I stop it?

Watch for flea beetles, which chew small holes in radish leaves and can stunt fast-growing seedlings. Cover newly sown beds with a lightweight row cover until plants are established, and keep the soil consistently slightly moist (drought makes plants harder to recover). If you see powdery mildew-like spotting, remove heavily affected leaves promptly and avoid wetting foliage—radishes are quick, so improving airflow and hygiene helps before harvest.

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

Water to keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist from sowing through bulbing, usually about 1 inch per week total in warm weather, split into 2–3 waterings. If the soil dries then suddenly gets wet, radishes are more likely to turn woody or split—aim for steady moisture. Check by feel: the soil should crumble slightly, not stay soggy.

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

Start checking at about 20–25 days after sowing, because radishes become pithy if left too long. Harvest when the roots are fully sized and feel firm when gently pulled or pressed near the soil line, with the tops still green and healthy. If the roots look elongated or the bulbs are hard to develop, pull promptly and harvest a little earlier next time for a better texture.