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Root vegetables · Raphanus sativus 'German Giant'

German Giant Radish

German Giant Radish is a heirloom root vegetable. Germination takes 4-7 days and fruit ripens from about day 45-60. Skin runs to pure white skin and flesh. Water need is 1 inch per week, consistent moisture to prevent splitting. Suits zones 2-11. It will crop in a container.

Root vegetables
45-60days to harvest
4-7days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow seeds 1/2 inch deep in spring or fall. Can be succession planted every 2 weeks in cool weather.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
1 inch per week, consistent moisture to prevent splitting
Soil
Deep, loose, fertile soil with good drainage
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
4-6 inches
Height
0-3 feet
Season
Cool season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Pure white skin and flesh
Size
4-6 inches long, 2-3 inches wide
Shape
Large, elongated oval
Flavour
Mild, sweet, crisp with less bite than small radishes

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, salads, roasting, stir-frying, braising, pickling. Excellent cooked like turnips.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Flea beetles, cabbage root maggot, aphids
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew
Resistance
Good resistance to clubroot and black rot

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyJuly – September
2——May – JulyJuly – September
3——May – JuneJune – October
4——April – JuneJune – October
5——April – MayJune – November
6——April – MayMay – November
7——March – MayMay – November
8——March – AprilApril – December
9——February – MarchMarch – December
10——January – MarchMarch – December
11——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
12——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
13——January – FebruaryFebruary – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

LettuceShallow roots don't compete with radish taproot, radish breaks up soil for lettuce
CarrotsRadishes mature quickly and loosen soil for slower-growing carrots
SpinachCompatible growing requirements and harvest times, efficient space usage
NasturtiumsTrap crop for flea beetles and aphids that commonly attack radishes
ChivesRepels root maggots and other soil pests that damage radish roots
MarigoldsDeter nematodes and other soil-dwelling pests harmful to root vegetables
PeasFix nitrogen in soil and have different root zones, reducing competition
CucumberRadishes deter cucumber beetles and striped cucumber beetle

Avoid

BrassicasSame family plants compete for nutrients and attract similar pests like flea beetles
TurnipsBoth are root vegetables competing for same soil space and nutrients
HyssopCan inhibit growth of radishes and other root vegetables through allelopathic compounds

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g)
16
Protein (g)
0.68
Fat (g)
0.1
Carbohydrate (g)
3.4
Fibre (g)
1.6
Sugars (g)
1.86
Vitamin A (µg)
0
Vitamin C (mg)
14.8
Vitamin E (mg)
0
Vitamin K (µg)
1.3
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.071
Folate (µg)
25
Calcium (mg)
25
Iron (mg)
0.34
Magnesium (mg)
10
Phosphorus (mg)
20
Potassium (mg)
233
Zinc (mg)
0.28
Selenium (µg)
0.6
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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the root vegetables growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

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Similar varieties

Other root vegetables with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits German Giant Radish suits these too.

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