Shunkyo

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Crisp as glass and bright as spring—Shunkyo radish delivers a clean, peppery snap with a sweet, fresh finish.

At about 45 days, its slender roots form with a smooth, satiny skin and a vivid, eye-catching color that stays tender rather than woody. Ideal for salad radish use, Shunkyo shines when served fresh for crunchy platters, vibrant garnishes, and quick pickling for a tangy bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Taproot

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Shunkyo 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 16th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 9th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 3rd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jun 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jun 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 25th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 16th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 7th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 26th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
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

Shunkyo’s slender roots stay tender and never go chalky, so you can serve it raw without fighting toughness. The clean peppery snap loves dairy fat and quick acid—thin slices won’t wilt into the bowl, and pickled bits stay snappy even after a short turn in the brine.

Best Uses

shaved or sliced raw on crunchy platters and composed salads
quick pickling for a fast, tangy crunch
eaten whole as a snack radish with flaky salt and citrus
lightly dressed radish-and-herb garnishes where the crunch must hold

Flavor Profile

crisp, glassy snap bright peppery bite sweet, fresh finish tender, non-woody texture

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon yogurt goat cheese smoked salmon fennel seed

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on radish (Raphanus sativus) and how can I stop it?

On radish, flea beetles are a common problem—they chew small holes in leaves and can quickly stunt growth. Use row cover right after sowing, and if needed apply an insecticidal soap early in the day to target beetles. For disease, watch for damp-looking leaf spots or mildew and remove heavily affected leaves to improve airflow.

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

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged from germination through bulbing (about weeks 2–6). In warm weather this usually means watering about 1–2 times per week, or more often if the top 1 inch dries out; aim for even moisture to prevent tough, cracked roots. Mulch lightly after seedlings emerge to reduce drying swings.

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

Harvest when roots reach the expected size for your sowing row—often around 45 days, but use root size as the main cue. Gently pull one to check: radishes are best when they’re tender and crisp, not when they get pithy or woody. If roots are still small after ~45 days, look for prolonged cold/heat stress and adjust future sowings for more uniform timing.