Winter Radish

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Winter Radish to a garden.

Winter Radish offers a crisp, clean bite with a pleasantly peppery edge that mellows beautifully as the season cools.

At maturity, the roots develop a firm, juicy texture and a striking, store-worthy presence—ideal for keeping on hand when fresh garden flavors are most welcome. Grow it for hearty winter salads, robust slaws, and boldly flavored pickles that showcase its bright radish character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Winter Radish 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 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Winter radish brings a sharp, peppery edge with real staying power, staying crisp long enough for dressed salads and slaws. It’s built for cold-weather eating—slice it thin, because its heat will soften fast and turn clean and juicy instead of biting.

Best Uses

shaved or grated winter salads with a sharp vinaigrette
robust slaw where the crunch stays intact under dressing
quick pickles or refrigerator pickles for a vivid, spicy snap
searing/roasting slices for a caramelized edge and tender interior

Flavor Profile

clean, crisp crunch peppery bite that mellows in cold juicy, firm root texture bright radish heat on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

black garlic mustard vinaigrette scallion chili soy sauce apple

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common pest or disease problem for Raphanus sativus (winter radish), and how do I treat it?

A frequent issue is clubroot caused by soil-borne pathogens that deform and club the roots. To reduce risk, don’t plant brassicas in the same bed for several years, keep soil pH slightly higher with lime if your soil is acidic, and remove badly infected plants immediately to limit spread. For early prevention, incorporate clean compost and avoid overwatering, since consistently wet soil favors many root problems.

How often should I water winter radish during the main growing phase to keep roots developing well?

During active root bulking (roughly weeks 3–8 after sowing), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist, not soggy. For most home gardens, that typically means watering about 1 inch per week total, split into 1–3 sessions depending on heat and rainfall. If the soil swings from dry to wet, roots can become fibrous or pithy—so water steadily, and mulch lightly to stabilize moisture.

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

Harvest when the roots have reached their intended size and feel firm—most winter radishes are ready around 55–65 days after sowing. Check the shoulder of a few plants by gently pulling back soil: the top should be well-filled with minimal taper. If leaves start yellowing heavily and the root is still small, harvest sooner rather than letting it linger through temperature spikes that can reduce tenderness.