Radish Planting Guide
radish this May — what to know
Month-by-month radish fundamentals. Your frost dates change the timing, so pick your county for a tailored plan.
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How to water radish
About an inch of water a week keeps radish happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
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Where to put radish
South-facing beds are ideal for radish. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant radish. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, with some varieties ready in under a month. They come in round, elongated, and large winter types.
Raphanus sativus · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 22–35 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Radish Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Radish?
Radish Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Radish planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | — | May 23 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Zone 2b | — | May 15 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 |
| Zone 3a | — | May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 |
| Zone 3b | — | May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 21 |
| Zone 4a | — | Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Zone 4b | — | Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 12 |
| Zone 5a | — | Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 30 |
| Zone 5b | — | Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 23 |
| Zone 6a | — | Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Zone 6b | — | Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Zone 7a | — | Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 8a | — | Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 |
| Zone 8b | — | Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 |
| Zone 9a | — | Jan 20 | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 |
| Zone 9b | — | Jan 4 | — | Feb 1 – Feb 22 |
| Zone 10a | — | Dec 11 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 |
| Zone 10b | — | Dec 11 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 |
| Zone 11a | — | Dec 11 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 |
| Zone 11b | — | Dec 11 | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Radish is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Transplant shows "—" because Radish is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Radish
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
22–35 days
One of the fastest crops — harvest in under a month!
👪 Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Brassicaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Radish
Radish matures in just 22–35 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 10 successive plantings by sowing every 2.4 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Radish
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Radish
Direct sow every 1-2 weeks for continuous harvest. Do not transplant. Harvest spring radishes promptly to prevent them from becoming pithy and hot.
💧 Watering: Radish needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Radish Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Radish by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Radish?
Radish (Raphanus sativus) takes 22 to 35 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Radish grow in?
Radish can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Radish need?
Growing Radish requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.