When to plant radishes
Radishes tolerate frost, so sow outdoors 2–6 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow 4–6 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 40°F.
Radishes dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
|---|---|
| Sow for fall harvest | Sep 12–26 |
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Oct 8 |
| Soil temperature | 40°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 25–30 |
| Spacing | 1–2 in apart |
Your radish year
- Sow outdoors
- Sow for fall harvest
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for radishes
- Radishes are ready in about four weeks, making them the fastest check on your soil and timing.
- Sow a short row every 10 days; mature radishes turn pithy quickly.
- Heat makes them hot and woody, so pause sowing in midsummer.
For a steady harvest, sow every 1 week: see the succession planting calculator.
When to plant radishes in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Plant / sow | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Oct 9–23 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Dec 14 – Jan 11 | Nov 3–17 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Dec 22 – Jan 19 | Nov 13–27 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Nov 24 – Dec 22 | Nov 22 – Dec 6 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Oct 6–20 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Jan 19 – Feb 16 | Oct 18 – Nov 1 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Oct 6–20 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 28 – Oct 12 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Sep 4–18 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Oct 20 – Nov 3 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 12–26 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
Radishes planting FAQ
When should I plant radishes?
Radishes tolerate frost, so sow outdoors 2–6 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow 4–6 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 40°F.
How many days until radishes are ready to harvest?
Most radish varieties take about 25–30 days from sowing. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can radishes survive frost?
Yes. Radishes tolerate frost and light freezes, which is why they can be planted weeks before the last frost date.
How far apart should I plant radishes?
Space radishes 1–2 in apart.
What is the last date I can plant radishes?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost, allowing a week or two extra because radishes tolerate light frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing radishes
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.