Watermelon Radish adds a striking pop of color with its vibrant, pinkish-red interior that resembles a watermelon and its pale greenish-white skin. The mild, crisp flavor is slightly sweet with a subtle peppery kick, making it perfect for adding a unique twist to salads, tacos, or served as a snack. This radish variety grows quickly, maturing in about 50 days, offering a rewarding harvest with minimal effort. Watermelon Radish thrives in cooler temperatures, making it ideal for spring and fall planting, and its ability to grow in various soil types makes it versatile for different garden setups, from raised beds to traditional garden plots. Loved for its eye-catching color and exceptional flavor, Watermelon Radish is sure to impress both seasoned gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike, providing an unexpected delight in every bite. Also Known As: Shinrimei, Pink Heart Daikon, Red Meat Radish, Chinese Red Meat Radish, Watermelon Daikon, Pink-Fleshed Radish, Rose Heart Radish, Xin Li Hong Radish, Beauty Heart Radish, White-Tipped Red Radish. Plant Name: Radish, Watermelon Latin Name: Raphanus sativus Days to Germinate: 5-8 Days to Harvest: 60 Plant Height: 6 - 18 Inches Spread: 6 - 9 Inches Growth Habit: Root, Rosette USDA Zones: 2-11 Lifespan: Annual Brand: TomorrowSeeds Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated GMO: No Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No Seeds Packed For**: 2026 *Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds. **Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates. Planting Instructions: Soil Preparation: Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth. Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. If planting in a garden bed, radish can be planted more densely, at a rate of 16 plants per square foot. Planting: Plant radish in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked and the soil reaches about 45F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds 8-10 weeks before the first average frost date. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 4 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Radishes can also be double-planted (planted in pairs) down the rows. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. You may make several plantings 8-10 days apart for a steady supply of radishes. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Planting Depth: 1/2 inch Within-Row Spacing: 4 inches Between-Row Spacing: 12-18 inches Care During the Season: Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots. Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply a complete fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing. Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions. Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions. Harvesting: Radishes are ready to be harvested when they reach their mature size, typically 3 to 4 weeks. To check for readiness, gently pull back the soil around the top of the root to see its size. Radishes left in the ground too long can become woody, pithy, or overly spicy. Harvest by firmly grasping the greens near the base and pulling them straight out of the soil. After harvesting, trim the greens to about 1 inch above the root, wash off any soil, and store them in the refrigerator.
