Radish Seeds - French Breakfast

Radish Seeds  – French Breakfast

~270 Seeds

Radish – French Breakfast is a crisp, fast-growing heirloom with rosy red roots tipped in creamy white, making it one of the prettiest little vegetables you can tuck into the spring garden. Its mild, slightly sweet flavour and snappy texture have earned it a loyal following for more than a century, and it’s still one of the earliest and most reliable crops for Canadian gardeners.

These radishes grow quickly—almost suspiciously so—making them perfect for anyone who likes a near-instant harvest or wants to keep impatient little helpers motivated.

French Breakfast performs beautifully in containers, raised beds, or tucked between slower crops like carrots and beets. The roots stay tender even as they size up, and the long, oblong shape makes for easy slicing.

Enjoy them fresh with a sprinkle of salt, sliced onto sandwiches, or sautéed lightly for a surprisingly delicious warm side dish. With their cheerful colour and dependable performance, they’re a spring and fall favourite every gardener should grow at least once (and will probably grow forever after).

• Edible roots and greens
• Fast growing and reliable
• Suitable for containers and small gardens
• Cool-season crop perfect for spring and fall
• Heirloom variety with mild, sweet flavour

Plant Details

• Scientific Name: Raphanus sativus
• Life Cycle: Annual
• Seed Type: Heirloom, Open Pollinated
• Light Requirements: Full sun
• Plant Height: 4–8 in (10–20 cm)
• Seed Depth: 0.25–0.5 in (0.5–1 cm)
• Spacing: 1 in (2.5 cm)
  
• Days to Maturity: 25–30 days
• Germination: 4–10 days

Growing Instructions

Direct sow radish seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring or again in late summer for a fall crop. Plant seeds ¼–½ inch deep in loose, well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage rapid growth and prevent pithiness. Thin seedlings to 1 inch apart to allow room for proper root development. Harvest promptly when roots reach full size; leaving them too long can cause them to become woody or overly spicy. Radishes pair beautifully when interplanted with slower crops, acting as a useful marker for garden rows while adding early harvests.

FAQ
Q: Why did my radishes grow leaves but no roots?
A: This usually happens when radishes are overcrowded or grown in soil that’s too rich in nitrogen. Thin seedlings promptly and avoid over-fertilizing.

Q: How does French Breakfast compare to round radishes?
A: French Breakfast has a milder flavour, a longer oblong shape, and tends to stay tender longer, making it a great choice for gardeners who prefer a gentler radish.

Q: Can I eat radish seed pods?
A: Yes! If your radish goes to seed, allow the seed pods to develop a bit and then harvest when young (before seeds become firm). Pods are very tasty sautéd!