Raphanus sativus 'Cherry Belle'
vegetableCherry Belle is the classic round, cherry-red salad radish, with crisp white flesh and a mild, clean bite, and one of the very fastest vegetables anyone can grow, going from seed to harvest in roughly three to four weeks. That speed makes it ideal for filling gaps between slower crops, marking rows of slow-germinating carrots, and giving beginners a quick, satisfying first success. It is a cool-season root that does best in the mild weather of spring and fall, and like all radishes it turns sharp and woody if rushed through heat.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 2 days
Harvest
~24 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
1-2 in. apart
Planting Depth
1/2 in.
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Loose, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 2 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Usually none needed in decent soil
Fertilizer
Light, low-nitrogen if any (5-10-10)
Radishes are quick, cool-season roots that ask only for loose, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil of pH 6 to 7, loosened at least six inches deep so the roots form cleanly. Direct sow the seed a quarter to a half inch deep, about an inch apart, starting in early spring as soon as soil can be worked and again in late summer for a fall crop. Thin seedlings promptly to about two inches apart, since crowding keeps roots from sizing up. The whole secret is fast, uninterrupted growth: give them an inch of water a week so they never check, because drought and slow growth make radishes woody and excessively hot, and summer heat pushes them to bolt. Sow small batches every week or two.
spring planting
Direct sow
Mar 25
Projected first harvest
Apr 18
fall planting
Direct sow
Sep 15
Projected first harvest
Oct 9
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Row cover seedlings; radish grows fast enough to often outgrow damage and even serves as a trap crop for other plants
Rotate brassica-family crops and use row cover
Sow in cool weather and never let growth stall
Cherry Belle is ready remarkably fast, usually three to four weeks from sowing, and the window is short, so check the planting daily once roots begin to swell. Pull them promptly at full size, around an inch across; left too long they quickly turn pithy, fibrous, and sharply hot, and may split or bolt. Because the roots hold in good condition only briefly, harvest as you need them, which is why small successive sowings beat one big planting. After pulling, twist off the tops and store the roots in the refrigerator, where they keep only a week or two.
Cherry Belle radishes are very low in calories and mostly water, yet a good source of vitamin C with potassium, calcium, and fiber. Their crisp, peppery bite comes from the same glucosinolate and isothiocyanate compounds found across the mustard family, antioxidants linked to the protective reputation of cruciferous vegetables. Both the root and the leafy tops are edible, the greens carrying extra vitamins and usable cooked or in a quick saute. Eaten raw and fresh, radishes deliver their crunch, vitamin C, and peppery flavor for almost no calories, which is much of their appeal.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
spring planting
fall planting