When to plant radishes
Short answer
Plant radishes about 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 18. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Dec 18 | Jan 15 |
| Zone 2 | — | Jan 18 | Feb 15 |
| Zone 3 | — | Feb 10 | Mar 10 |
| Zone 4 | — | Mar 2 | Mar 30 |
| Zone 5 | — | Mar 18 | Apr 15 |
| Zone 6 | — | Apr 2 | Apr 30 |
| Zone 7 | — | Apr 17 | May 15 |
| Zone 8 | — | May 4 | Jun 1 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Radishes is a hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for radishes
When to plant radishes comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Radishes is a hardy crop, so it goes in about 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 18.
Radishes is usually sown straight into the ground — no indoor start needed. From there it's roughly 28 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for radishes ranges from about Feb 10 in warm zone 3 to Apr 17 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Radishes is hardy — it goes in before the last frost |
| Indoor start | Direct-sow — no indoor start needed |
| Days to harvest | About 28 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Tolerates cool soil and light frost |
How radishes compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Mar 18 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing radishes
- Start radishes early — it tolerates cool soil and a light frost, so you can plant before your last spring frost.
- Count roughly 28 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for radishes dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant radishes?
Plant radishes about 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Mar 2; in a colder zone 6, Apr 2.
Can I direct sow radishes?
Yes — radishes is usually sown directly in the garden rather than started indoors.
How long until radishes is ready to harvest?
About 28 days from planting until first harvest. In zone 6, radishes planted around Apr 2 is typically ready near Apr 30.