Summer Radish
Sora radish stands out as a remarkably heat-tolerant variety that delivers crisp, mild roots in just 22 days, making it perfect for quick succession plantings throughout the growing season. This open-pollinated cultivar thrives where other radishes struggle, maintaining its tender texture and balanced spice even when temperatures climb. With its compact bush growth habit and efficient 8-inch row spacing, Sora makes the most of garden space while providing both nutritious roots and edible greens rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
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What sets Sora apart is its exceptional heat tolerance, allowing gardeners to enjoy fresh radishes even during challenging summer conditions when most varieties turn woody and overly pungent. The variety's lightning-fast 22-day maturity means you can sow multiple crops throughout the season, and its open-pollinated genetics ensure you can save seed for future plantings. Beyond the crisp, mildly spicy roots, the nutrient-dense greens offer another harvest opportunity, providing even more vitamins and minerals than the roots themselves.
Sora radishes excel fresh in salads where their crisp texture and mild spice add perfect contrast, or sliced thin for sandwiches and garnishes. The roots work beautifully in quick pickles and ferments, while the often-overlooked greens can be sautéed, added to soups, or used raw in salads for their concentrated nutritional benefits. Traditional medicine has long valued radishes as digestive tonics and natural decongestants, with their antimicrobial properties and high vitamin C content supporting immune health.
Direct sow from spring through early summer, then again from mid-August through mid-September for fall crops. Plant seeds when soil can be worked in spring, using about three grams per 7-8 row feet. Sow seeds in well-prepared, friable soil and ensure good contact between seed and soil for even germination.
Harvest Sora radishes while still young, typically at 22 days, before they have a chance to split or develop strong flavors. Pull roots when they reach desired size but before they become fibrous or overly pungent from staying in the ground too long. Remove tops immediately before storage, though save some for the kitchen as they're packed with nutrients. For seed saving, allow a few plants to bolt and harvest the green seed pods, which offer a crunchy, mild radish flavor.
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