When to plant radishes in The Dalles, OR

Plant radishes from seed, directly in the garden in The Dalles, Mar 20 – May 15. For a fall harvest, plant again Sep 3–17.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

The Dalles's typical last spring frost is April 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun; tolerates light shade
Spacing: 1 inch apart (thin to 2 inches)
Planting depth: ½ inch deep
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 28 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Mar 20 – May 15, ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart (thin to 2 inches).
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Plant again Sep 3–17 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Most are ready in about four weeks. Pull them while they're small; they turn woody if left too long.

Varieties that do well here

Cherry Belle
French Breakfast
Easter Egg

Watch out for

Cabbage root maggots tunnel into roots in cool, wet springs. Row cover laid on at sowing keeps the flies off.

Sow a short row every two weeks for a steady supply.

Common questions

When is the last frost in The Dalles, OR?

Typically April 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for The Dalles Municipal Airport (Dallesport, WA).

Is it too late to plant radishes in The Dalles?

The spring planting window runs through May 15. If you miss it, plant again for fall from September 3 to September 17.

How long until I can harvest radishes?

About 28 days after planting. Most are ready in about four weeks. Pull them while they're small; they turn woody if left too long.