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Radish planting guide

When to plant radishes

Radishes grow quickly in cool weather. Use the calendar to estimate when to inspect ordinary garden radishes, but use the seed packet and a sample root to decide when they are ready.

Planting method

Sow outdoors

Plant the seed directly in prepared garden soil.

Growing season

Cool weather

Heat can make roots hot, woody or prone to flowering.

Garden radish harvest

3-5 weeks

Inspect roots instead of treating the estimate as a deadline.

Prepared soil depth

At least 6 inches

Long daikon types need a foot or more of loosened soil.

Garden radish planner

Estimate when to start checking roots

Before sowing

Loosen the root zone

Compact or stony soil can distort roots. The reviewed source recommends loosening at least six inches for ordinary radishes and a foot or more for long types.

During growth

Keep growth steady

Drought stress can lead to poor flavor and tough texture. Consistent moisture supports the quick, unstressed growth that produces better roots.

Garden radishes and daikon are not the same schedule

Small garden radishes

The 3-5 week result applies to the familiar small roots described by the Extension source. Begin checking size rather than waiting for the end of the window.

Daikon and long types

These roots need deeper preparation and may follow a different maturity schedule. Use the variety's packet instead of the calculator above.

Do not reuse Minnesota calendar months nationwide

The source lists specific spring and fall months for Minnesota. This page keeps the nationally transferable guidance—cool weather, quick growth and variety-specific maturity—but does not present those state dates as a U.S. planting calendar.