Scarlet Fall

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Scarlet Fall to a garden.

Sink your senses into Scarlet Fall’s dramatic, watermelon-radish beauty—crisp flesh that bursts with a vivid, jewel-toned contrast and a clean, peppery snap.

The roots mature to an impressive size with a smooth, glossy exterior in rich scarlet, transitioning to a softly blushed interior that stays pleasantly firm and juicy. Grow it for standout fresh slices, bold roasts, and striking garnishes—its color makes every platter feel like a seasonal celebration.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Taproot

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

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
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

Scarlet Fall is a watermelon-radish type that slices like candy—crisp, juicy, and aggressively peppery at first bite, then mellowing into a sweet, cool finish. Use it where crunch matters (shaved or pickled) or heat just enough to lacquer the outside without turning the interior mealy.

Best Uses

thin shaved ribbons for crunchy tartines and salads
quick pickles/brines where the color holds and the bite stays lively
roasting or pan-searing for caramelized edges while keeping the interior snappy
showy garnishes: batons and half-moons on hot bowls or steak plates

Flavor Profile

clean peppery snap crisp, juicy flesh with a watermelon-sweet edge mildly earthy brassica bite stays firm with a glassy crunch when sliced

Kitchen Pairings

salted butter fresh dill yogurt lime juice goat cheese chili flakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease or pest on Raphanus sativus (watermelon radish type), and how do I fix it fast?

Watch for flea beetles on radish leaves—they cause small shot-hole damage and can stunt young plants in warm weather. Use row cover over seedlings until flowering, and then apply insecticidal soap directly on the foliage at first sign of damage. If you see leaf spots or rotting roots, thin to improve airflow and water at the soil line to keep leaves dry.

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

Keep the top 2–3 inches of soil consistently evenly moist from germination through bulbing so the roots form quickly and don’t get woody or pithy. In typical home gardens, this usually means watering about 1 inch per week total, split into 2–3 waterings during hot or dry spells. Avoid letting the soil swing between very dry and waterlogged, which increases cracking and poor texture.

How can I tell when my Raphanus sativus is ready to harvest (around 65 days)?

Harvest when the root shoulders are well-developed and have reached the size listed for your packet, typically around 60–65 days from sowing. Check early by gently pulling one plant—roots should feel firm and smooth, not elongated and tough. Don’t wait too long past maturity, or the roots can become fibrous and strong-flavored.