Heirloom Black Spanish Radish Seeds

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Bullet Points:

• Stunning Black & White Contrast: The dramatic pitch-black, rough-textured skin contrasting with the pure, snow-white flesh makes this one of the most photogenic vegetables you can grow.
  
• Bold, Spicy Horseradish Kick: Loved by gourmet chefs, this radish offers a robust, peppery, and earthy flavor profile. It adds an incredible zest to winter salads and appetizers.
• Exceptional Winter Storage Crop: This is a true "keeper" root vegetable. Harvested in late fall, these hardy black globes will stay fresh, crisp, and flavorful for months in a cool pantry or fridge.
  
• Versatile Culinary Uses: Slice paper-thin and serve with butter and sea salt for a classic European appetizer, grate into fresh slaws for a spicy punch, or slow-roast to mellow its heat into a sweet, savory dish.
  
• Cold-Hardy & Reliable: Thrives in the cool weather of autumn and tolerates heavy frosts. It actually becomes sweeter and more tender after a light freeze.
• Heirloom Garden Essential: A beloved, old-world variety that has been cherished by gardeners for centuries for its beauty, hardiness, and unique flavor.
  

Product Details:

• Genus: Raphanus
  
• Species: Raphanus sativus (Black Spanish Round Radish)
  
• Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 4 – 11 (Cold-hardy; tolerates light frosts down to 25°F).
  
• Days to Maturity: 50 - 60 days (From direct sowing).
  
• Days to Germination: 4 to 7 days (Optimal soil temp: 60°F - 75°F).
  
• Seeding Depth: ½ inch (1.2 cm).
• Row Spacing: 12 - 18 inches (30 - 45 cm).
• Plant Height: Foliage grows 8 – 12 inches (20-30 cm) tall; roots are 2 – 3 inches (5-7 cm) in diameter.
  
• Growth Habit: Upright, leafy rosette with a round, globular taproot that swells into a solid, black-skinned, white-fleshed root vegetable.
  
• Soil Preference: Loose, fertile, well-draining loam, free of stones. pH 6.0 – 7.0.
  
• Temperature Preference: Strictly cool weather. Best performance at 50°F - 65°F (10°C - 18°C). Will bolt quickly if temps exceed 75°F.
  
• Light Preference: Full Sun (minimum 6 hours).

How to Plant & Grow:

• Site Preparation: Choose a location with full sun. Radishes require loose, fertile, well-draining soil. Work the soil 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) deep, remove all rocks, and mix in 2-3 inches of aged compost.
  
• Sowing (Timing is Critical): This is strictly a cool-season, fall crop. Do NOT plant in spring (it will bolt quickly in heat). Direct sow in mid-to-late summer for an autumn harvest. Plant seeds ½ inch (1.2 cm) deep and cover lightly with fine soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination (4-7 days).

Spacing:

• For Plump, Round Roots: Thin seedlings to 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) apart in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) apart.
  
• Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Plant 4 plants per 1-square-foot area.
  
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist. Provide about 1 inch of water per week. Dry soil will cause the roots to become tough, woody, and excessively bitter.
• Harvesting: The roots are ready when the black "shoulders" poke out of the soil and are about 2-3 inches in diameter. Gently grasp the base of the leaves and pull them up. They can stay in the ground through light frosts.
  
• Gardener's Tip: To mellow the spice: The intense pungent heat of Black Radish can be toned down by peeling the black skin (which is where most of the spiciness resides), or by salting the sliced roots and letting them sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. This makes them much more approachable for salads!

Planting Calendar:

• Fall Crop (Highly Recommended):
  Direct Sow: Late July to Mid-August. Harvest: October to November.
  
• Mild Winter Zones (USDA 9-11):           Can be sown from September to October for a winter harvest.