Growing Non-GMO Watermelon Radish Vegetable Seeds
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Latin Name: Raphanus sativus
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Hardiness Zone: Annual 2-10
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Days to Maturity: 60-65
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Days to Germination: 3-7
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Seeding Depth: 1/2 Inches
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Plant Spacing: 6-8 Inches
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Row Spacing: 6-8 Inches
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Plant Height: 8-12 Inches
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Growth Habit: Bulbous rooted upright
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Soil Preference: Loose, light, fertilized, well-drained
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Temperature Preference: 50-65 °F
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Light Preference: Full sun
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Pests and Diseases: Watch for flea beetles and aphids. Water soil directly to avoid saturating greens known to cause mildew.
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Watermelon Radish Color: Light-green exterior, fuschia-colored interior with long stems
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Watermelon Radish Flavor: Fresh with a balance between sweet and mild pepper
How to Grow Watermelon Radish from Seed
Winter radish seeds are a cool hardy staple best sown directly in mid-late summer for a fall harvest. Like many root vegetables, radish does not transplant well and should not be started indoors. Plant 2-3 Watermelon radish seeds 1/2" deep and 1-2" apart in very loose, Organic, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Radish seeds germinate in 3-7 days, thinning out best starts to 4-6" apart depending on variety sown. Minimize nitrogen content when fertilizing to reduce small spindly roots and excessive greens. Winter radish, such as Daikon, is an overwintering cover crop specifically grown to repair and replenish poor and uncultivated soils during the winter.
Watermelon Radish seeds (Raphanus sativus) grow larger than spring varieties and will take longer to fully mature than smaller spring radishes. Annually harvested in fall, Watermelon Radish garden vegetables develop their roots into 3-4" wide bulbs in cooler temperatures.
Although this radish is known to be one of the fastest in terms of growth, their flavor and size will increase if left to bulge above the soil and not picked too early. Late summer-sown radish can overwinter and will grow their light-green exterior with long edible leafy stems by next spring.
Watermelon Radish in the Vegetable Garden
Winter radish is the larger, deeper, taproot variation of the smaller spring crop, growing very similar to the spring radish except needing a little extra time and space to mature. While Daikon is widely considered the standard of winter radishes, varieties such as Black Spanish Round, China Rose, or the hypnotic Watermelon offer surprising color and diversity for a winter hardy crop. Winter radish is a frost tolerant cover crop specifically grown to repair and replenish poor and uncultivated soils.
Watermelon radish has ball-shaped root that is about 4" in diameter. The color starts with deep green shoulders that fade to a bright white skin. Cut a watermelon radish open and discover a bright red flesh that is reminiscent of a summertime watermelon!
Harvesting Watermelon Radish
Many varieties of winter radish are ready to harvest in about 60-70 days from sowing. Using a gardening fork, harvest as roots begin to show 1-2" diameter above the soil. Sample one plant to determine if the rest of the crop is ready. Harvest radish promptly because roots will quickly spoil in the ground from the first winter frost. Not all winter radish is white and individual color showing will help determine if roots are ripe.
Around 60-65 days from the sowing date, you can pick your radish plants by hand and gently shake off the soil. By 30 days, the edible stems and leaves of radish plants can be eaten by cooking them as you would collard greens. You can also blend them up to make a pesto or to add to your green drink.
Fresh or cooked, winter radish crops are versatile and pair well with citrus. Pickled radishes are a flavorful and fun way to enjoy your harvested Watermelon Radish.
About Watermelon Radish Seeds
Raphanus sativus. (60-65 days) AKA: Roseheart Radish or Red Meat Radish
Radishes have been around since the time of the Romans, but this radish is relatively new.
Watermelon radish seems to be all the rage when I go to farmers markets or local Organic stores.
The reason is not only the flavor, but the intense interior color just like a watermelon!
Watermelon radish is crispy with mild and sweet flavor, excellent for salad, garnish and even cooking in Asian dishes.
TIP Watermelon radishes grow best in cool climates, suitable for fall/winter crops.
