Radish (Watermelon)

Watermelon Radish, also known as Red Meat Radish, is a stunning heirloom daikon-type radish prized for its pale green skin and vibrant pink centre. When sliced, the interior resembles a watermelon, making it one of the most eye-catching root vegetables for salads, grazing boards, fresh garnishes and gourmet dishes.

This variety has a crisp, juicy texture with a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a gentle peppery finish. It is much less sharp than many common radish varieties, and as the root matures, the flavour becomes sweeter and more balanced.

Watermelon Radish performs best in cooler growing conditions and is especially suited to late autumn and winter harvests. It takes longer to mature than small red radishes, but rewards growers with firm, round roots, strong tops, consistent shape and spectacular internal colour.

📦 What You’ll Receive
A healthy live Watermelon Radish seedling at the transplant stage, approximately 10–14 cm tall including the root system. QPS has already handled germination and early nursery growth, giving you a stronger start toward a premium specialty radish harvest. 🌱 Current Stage
Live seedling, ready to transplant 📏 Seedling Height
Approx. 10–14 cm including root system 🥗 Seedling → Harvest
Approx. 6–8 weeks after transplant 🌾 Seed → Harvest
Approx. 10–14 weeks / 70–100 days total 📐 Spacing
Plants 20 cm apart; rows 15–25 cm apart ☀ Conditions
Full sun, cool weather and steady moisture 🌱 Growing Journey: Seed to Harvest Stage Timeline What Happens Seed Germination Weeks 0–1 Seed germinates and begins producing early roots and leaves. Nursery Growth Weeks 1–4+ QPS raises the young seedling through its delicate early stage. What You Receive Transplant-ready seedling You receive a live seedling around 10–14 cm tall including roots. Establishment Week 1 after transplant Seedling settles into prepared soil. Keep watering consistent. Root Bulking Weeks 2–5 after transplant The daikon-type root begins sizing up and developing its rounded shape. Colour & Sweetness Development Weeks 4–7 after transplant The pink centre, crisp texture and sweeter flavour continue developing. Harvest Ready Approx. weeks 6–8 after transplant Harvest when roots are firm, evenly sized and showing strong internal colour. Full Seed-to-Harvest Window Approx. 70–100 days from sowing This includes germination, nursery growth, transplant establishment and full root development. AU Climate Zone Guide by Popular Towns Climate Zone Example Towns Growing Advice Cool / Mountain Canberra, Ballarat, Orange, Hobart Excellent in cool growing periods. Tolerates mild frost. Temperate Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Geelong Strong autumn, winter and mild-season performer. Sub-tropical Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour Grow in cooler months. Avoid heat stress and irregular watering. Hot / Arid Mildura, Broken Hill, Port Augusta, Alice Springs Plant only in the coolest window. Consistent moisture is essential. Tropical Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay Cool season only. Heat can reduce root quality and sweetness. 📅 Best Planting Times by State State Best Window Notes VIC & ACT February to September Excellent for autumn and winter harvests. NSW February to September Avoid harsh summer heat for best texture. SA March to September Strong cool-season root crop option. QLD March to August Cooler months best, especially inland and subtropical areas. TAS September to April Cool climate suits daikon-type radish growth well. WA March to September Region dependent; avoid hot dry periods. NT May to July Cool season only. ✓ Success Checklist Action Why It Matters Plant in full sun Supports strong root development and colour formation. Use well-drained soil with organic matter Helps roots size evenly and reduces stress. Keep watering consistent Helps prevent splitting and supports juicy texture. Space plants 20 cm apart Gives roots room to develop cleanly and evenly. Harvest at the right stage Maintains sweetness, crispness and vibrant internal colour. 🥗 Fresh Eating, Cooking & Kitchen Uses Watermelon Radishes are best enjoyed raw to showcase their vibrant pink centre. Thinly slice for salads, layer onto sandwiches, arrange on platters or use as a colourful garnish for gourmet dishes.

Pickling: Slice thinly and pickle for a bright, tangy crunch in bowls, wraps, salads and grazing boards.

Cooking: Roasting or sautéing creates a mellow, slightly sweet flavour while softening the peppery finish.

Edible greens: The leafy tops can be used in salads, pesto or cooked like spinach. 🐛 Pest & Care Notes Watch for: flea beetles, aphids, caterpillars, slugs and snails.

Common issues: splitting from irregular watering, tough roots from heat stress, and poor shape from compacted soil.

Best defence: consistent moisture, loose well-drained soil, good spacing, crop rotation and harvesting before roots become oversized. ⚡ Recommended QPS Growing Products

Watermelon Radish performs best in well-prepared soil with steady moisture. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can push leafy growth at the expense of root quality.

Pro-Kelp Feeder

Supports transplanting, root establishment and stress recovery.

Best for new seedlings and transplant support.MicroBoost

Trace element support for plant vitality and balanced growth.

Best for soil-grown vegetables and root crops.ProBase+ Complete Fertiliser

Balanced liquid nutrition when plants need support.

Use lightly; avoid overfeeding radishes. 🚚 Shipping & Live Plant Notes QPS is a proudly Australian-owned family business offering express shipping to SA, VIC, QLD and NSW, with local delivery and pickups available by arrangement.

Due to biosecurity restrictions, QPS cannot send live seedlings to TAS, WA or NT. For OH&S and biosecurity reasons, farm tours and direct purchases are not available, and pickups can only be made at the farm gate entrance by arrangement. QPS Grower’s Tip
Watermelon Radish is all about timing, cool conditions and consistent moisture. Harvest before roots become oversized for the best crisp texture, mild sweetness and vibrant watermelon-like centre.