When to plant radish by zone
Raphanus sativus is a cool-season crop that is hardy to frost. Rule of thumb: direct sow from 5 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost; for a fall crop, sow or plant 2–6 weeks before the first fall frost.
Radish planting dates by zone
Each row uses the median 30%-risk frost dates of the major cities in that zone; rows marked * have no major city and use the median of NOAA stations in that zone instead. Frost dates vary a lot within a zone, so use your city page for local dates. In frost-free climates: Sep 15 – Mar 15.
| Zone | Median last frost | Start indoors | Transplant / plant out | Direct sow | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a* | May 29 | — | — | Apr 24 – Jun 12 | Jul 16 – Aug 13 |
| 1b* | May 29 | — | — | Apr 24 – Jun 12 | Jul 16 – Aug 13 |
| 2a | May 21 | — | — | Apr 16 – Jun 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 18 |
| 2b* | May 20 | — | — | Apr 15 – Jun 3 | Jul 23 – Aug 20 |
| 3a* | Jun 4 | — | — | Apr 30 – Jun 18 | Jul 26 – Aug 23 |
| 3b* | May 24 | — | — | Apr 19 – Jun 7 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| 4a | May 12 | — | — | Apr 7 – May 26 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| 4b | May 5 | — | — | Mar 31 – May 19 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| 5a | May 4 | — | — | Mar 30 – May 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| 5b | May 4 | — | — | Mar 30 – May 18 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| 6a | May 4 | — | — | Mar 30 – May 18 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| 6b | Apr 26 | — | — | Mar 22 – May 10 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| 7a | Apr 22 | — | — | Mar 18 – May 6 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| 7b | Apr 10 | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 24 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| 8a | Apr 1 | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 15 | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| 8b | Mar 22 | — | — | Feb 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| 9a | Mar 11 | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 25 | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| 9b | Feb 12 | — | — | Jan 8 – Feb 26 | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| 10a | Jan 26 | — | — | Dec 22 – Feb 9 | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| 10b | Jan 27 | — | — | Dec 23 – Feb 10 | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| 11a | Rare | Sep 15 – Mar 15 | |||
| 11b* | Rare | Sep 15 – Mar 15 | |||
| 12a* | Rare | Sep 15 – Mar 15 | |||
| 12b | Rare | Sep 15 – Mar 15 | |||
| 13a* | Rare | Sep 15 – Mar 15 | |||
| 13b* | Rare | Sep 15 – Mar 15 | |||
Growing tips
- The fastest crop in the garden — sow a short row every 10 days.
- Radishes turn pithy and hot in warm weather.
- Winter radishes (daikon) are sown in late summer.
Related guides: which frost date to use · succession and fall planting.
Exact dates for your city
Popular: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fort Worth, San Jose — or browse all cities by state.
Other crops: Tomato, Pepper, Lettuce, Green Beans, Sweet Corn, Zucchini & Summer Squash, Cucumber, Carrot, Onion, Potato, Basil, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Peas, Eggplant, Cabbage, Strawberry, Beets
Radish planting questions
When can I plant radish outside?
Sow seed directly from 5 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost, once the soil reaches about 40°F (4.4°C). Examples: zone 5a (median last frost May 4): Mar 30 – May 18; zone 6b (median last frost Apr 26): Mar 22 – May 10; zone 8a (median last frost Apr 1): Feb 25 – Apr 15.
Can I grow radish as a fall crop?
Yes. Sow or plant 2–6 weeks before your first fall frost. For a first frost around Oct 15, that is Sep 3 – Oct 1. Add about two weeks to the days to maturity for slower fall growth — see fall planting.
How long does radish take to grow?
25–35 days from sowing. As a hardy cool-season crop it grows best in cool weather, so spring plantings should mature before summer heat, and fall plantings need about two extra weeks because days are shorter.
What soil temperature does radish need?
At least 40°F (4.4°C) at planting depth. Cold soil slows germination more than a short delay in planting does, so in a cold spring it pays to wait a week past the usual date. As a hardy crop, radish tolerates light frost.
How far apart should I plant radish?
Recommended in-row spacing: 1–2 in. The fastest crop in the garden — sow a short row every 10 days.
When do you plant radish where frost is rare?
In frost-free climates, plant radish Sep 15 – Mar 15, timing growth for the mildest months. This applies to cities such as Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA.