Snowball

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Crisp as fresh-cut snow, Snowball radishes form perfectly round, snow-white roots with a clean, bright snap and a mild, sweet-leaning bite that stays tender at just 30 days.

Their smooth skin and fine, juicy texture make them a delight for quick garden harvests—ideal for fresh salads and elegant garnishes, or for turning into vivid pickling slices and zesty radish spreads.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 30 DaysHabit: Taproot

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	May 25th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	30
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

Snowball radish has that first-crunch, supermarket-clean profile—mild enough to eat in thin stacks without turning harsh. The juicy, tender texture makes it shine as raw slices or fast pickles, and it blends smoothly into lemony spreads without going stringy.

Best Uses

paper-thin salad slicing that holds a crisp tooth under light vinaigrette
quick-pickle rounds for hot/cold contrast and color pops
radish “coins” on buttered bread or salt-butter plates
blended radish spreads with lemony brightness for schmear-style sandwiches

Flavor Profile

clean, bright radish snap mild sweet-leaning bite with low pepper burn smooth, juicy flesh that stays tender fresh, watery crunch

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon juice plain yogurt sea salt fresh dill grilled salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Raphanus sativus (snowball radish), and how can I treat them?

Snowball radish is especially prone to flea beetle damage, which shows up as small shot-holes in leaves and can stunt young plants. Use a fine mesh row cover immediately after sowing, and remove covers to water and harvest before re-covering again to prevent further feeding. If you see clubroot symptoms (swollen, misshapen roots) and plants yellowing, discard badly affected plants and avoid sowing radish in the same soil for several seasons, since clubroot persists in soil.

How often should I water snowball radish during peak growth to keep roots crisp?

Water so the top 2–3 inches of soil stay consistently moist during root bulking; for most home gardens that’s about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Inconsistent watering can lead to woody roots or splitting, so avoid letting the soil dry out between waterings. Water deeply after the top inches dry slightly, then keep moisture steady through the 3–4 week growth period.

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

Harvest when the roots reach the variety’s typical “snowball” size—commonly about 1–2 inches in diameter—and the leaves still look fresh and vigorous. Check one or two roots by gently pulling soil away at the crown; radishes that sit too long can turn pithy or develop a stronger bite. If you’ve sown in cool conditions, start checking around day 25–30, then harvest promptly once the bulbs are the right size.