White Icicle

Radish

30d to harvest

Crisp as fresh-cut glass, White Icicle radish offers a luminous, snow-white snap with a delicately sweet, mildly peppery finish. At about 30 days, its slender, icicle-shaped roots stay tender and juicy—ideal for salad radish appeal, with a clean crunch that shines in fresh presentations and brightens quick pickling blends.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	—
Climate	Frost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Oct 1st
Harvest Begins	Oct 31st
Harvest Ends	Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	30
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Raphanus sativus (white icicle radish) leaves turning yellow and holes appearing, and what should I do?

Yellowing with ragged holes is often flea beetle damage, while soggy spots and wilting can indicate damping-off in cool, wet soil. Cover seedlings with a fine insect net or row cover immediately after sowing, and keep the bed weed-free to reduce flea beetle habitat. Water at the soil level and avoid keeping the seed row constantly wet to prevent damping-off; if you see damping-off, remove affected seedlings and improve drainage before resowing in another spot.

How often should I water Raphanus sativus during the main growing phase to keep roots crisp and prevent splitting?

During the 3–4 weeks to maturity, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently evenly moist so the roots swell quickly. In most home gardens this means watering about 1 inch per week total, split into 2–3 waterings, and adjusting to rainfall and heat. Letting the bed dry out then flooding it after will encourage cracking or pithiness, so aim for steady moisture from sprouting to harvest.

How can I tell when my white icicle radishes are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 30 days, or as soon as the roots are clearly elongated and firm—typically when they reach roughly the size of a thumb and the shoulders show above the soil. Don’t wait too long after they’re full size, because Brassicaceae radishes (including Raphanus sativus) can become woody and hot-tasting. Pull one to check firmness; if it bends easily or feels soft, give the rest 2–3 more days and recheck.