How to Grow Early Scarlet Globe Radish
Wikimedia Commons
Early Scarlet Globe Radish
Raphanus sativus var. sativus
vegetableEarly Scarlet Globe is a classic spring radish variety prized for its rapid maturity and uniform, bright red globular roots. It is one of the most widely grown radish varieties in home and commercial gardens, producing crisp, mildly peppery roots ready for harvest in just 20-30 days. This heirloom cultivar is reliable, prolific, and perfect for succession planting.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Early Scarlet Globe Radish in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Early Scarlet Globe Radish timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Early Scarlet Globe Radish
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Early Scarlet Globe Radish
Around May 7≈ 20 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Early Scarlet Globe Radish dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Grows in all zones; prefers cool seasons in zones 2-8, spring and fall in warmer regions
Sign up free to see if Early Scarlet Globe Radish grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Early Scarlet Globe Radish timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
3-7 daysSeeds sprout and first cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge from soil
Keep soil moist and warm (60-70°F). Seeds germinate in 3-7 days. Thin seedlings to proper spacing immediately.
Seedling & Early Growth
5-10 daysTrue leaves appear, thin green foliage develops; small root begins to swell underground
Thin to 2 inches apart once cotyledons are fully expanded. Remove thinned plants to prevent crowding. Maintain consistent moisture.
Root Development
10-15 daysRoot swells to golf-ball or larger size; bright red skin develops; foliage remains modest
Maintain even moisture to prevent splitting and pithy texture. Keep soil loose for unobstructed root expansion. Stop fertilizing excess nitrogen to avoid leafy growth.
Maturity & Harvest Ready
Peaks at day 25-30, usable for 5-10 daysRoots reach 1-1.5 inches in diameter with crisp white flesh and bright scarlet skin; foliage is moderate
Harvest when roots reach desired size; older roots become pithy and hot. Can leave in ground for a few days without quality loss in cool weather.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Row covers until plants mature; insecticidal soap; neem oil; trap crops (mustard greens); diatomaceous earth on foliage
-
Root maggot barriers; row covers; crop rotation; avoid planting near other brassicas; beneficial parasitic nematodes in soil
-
Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
-
Avoid in brassica-heavy gardens; lime to raise soil pH above 7.2; crop rotation; resistant varieties
-
Use well-draining soil; avoid overwatering seedlings; provide good air circulation; sterilize seeds before sowing
Uses
Fresh Eating & Salads
CulinaryCrisp, mildly peppery roots are excellent raw in salads, sliced on cheese boards, or served with butter and salt. The tender greens are also edible in early-spring salads. [source]
Roasting & Cooking
CulinarySmall radishes can be roasted with olive oil and seasonings as a side dish, mellowing their peppery bite and creating a tender, slightly sweet vegetable. [source]
Pickling & Preservation
CulinaryEarly Scarlet Globe radishes pickle quickly and retain their crisp texture and bright color, making them ideal for fermented pickles and vinegar pickles. [source]
Digestive & Anti-inflammatory
MedicinalRadishes contain glucosinolates and isothiocyanates with potential anti-inflammatory and digestive enzyme-stimulating properties, traditionally used to support liver and digestive health. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeIf allowed to flower and bolt, Early Scarlet Globe produces small white or purple flowers that attract early-season bees and other pollinators. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when roots are 0.75-1.5 inches in diameter, typically 20-30 days after sowing. Gently pull from soil or loosen with a fork to avoid breaking. Spring radishes are best harvested before hot weather; summer crops often bolt or become pithy. For succession harvests, sow seeds every 2 weeks from early spring through early summer, then resume in late summer for fall crop. Radishes can be left in the ground for 1-2 weeks in cool weather without quality loss.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Early Scarlet Globe has been a favorite since the 1880s and remains one of the most reliable heirloom radish varieties, unchanged after more than 140 years of cultivation.
- 🌱 Radish seeds germinate so quickly that gardeners often use radish as a 'marker crop' when sowing slow-germinating seeds like carrots, then harvest and remove the radishes when the slower plants emerge.
- 🌱 The name 'Scarlet Globe' describes both the vivid red color and the perfectly uniform, round shape that makes this variety ideal for farmers' markets and restaurant garnishes.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Early Scarlet Globe Radish planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Early Scarlet Globe Radish seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Early Scarlet Globe Radish timeline →