Hybrid

Summer Cross No. 3

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

Endorsed by critical growers and markets as the choice Japanese-style variety for mid- and late-summer harvest. Uniform, long, tapered white roots average 16" x 2 1/2". Late spring and summer sowing.

Harvest

55d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Summer Cross No. 3 in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Summer Cross No. 3 · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-drained loam, deeply cultivated without compaction

WaterRegular, consistent moisture during growing season

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, slightly sweet flavor with tender texture typical of Japanese-style varieties.

ColorWhite

Size16"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	June – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	May – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	April – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	March – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	March – December
Zone 1	—	—	June – July	July – September
Zone 2	—	—	May – July	July – September
Zone 11	—	—	January – February	February – December
Zone 12	—	—	January – February	February – December
Zone 13	—	—	January – February	February – December

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 14–21 days from March through May in zone 7, then stop when daytime highs are reliably above 85°F — heat pushes Summer Cross to pith and bolt before it sizes up properly. At 55 days to harvest, a May 1 sowing puts roots in your hand by late June, right at the edge of summer heat. Pick back up in late August or early September for a fall run, timing your last sow so the 55-day finish clears your first hard frost date.

Complete Growing Guide

Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: RAF-an-us raf-an-IS-trum sa-TEE-vus. Spread: RAF-an-us raf-an-IS-trum sa-TEE-vus. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Ready for harvest in 55 days from sowing or transplant. Harvest at peak ripeness for best flavor and storage life. Pick regularly to encourage continued production where applicable.

Storage & Preservation

Summer Cross No. 3 daikon radishes store best at 32–40°F with 90–95% humidity in perforated plastic bags or ventilated containers; remove any attached greens before storage to slow moisture loss. Expect 3–4 weeks of firm, crisp texture under these conditions. For longer preservation, freezing works well—blanch thin slices for 2–3 minutes, cool rapidly, and pack in airtight containers for up to 8 months. Pickling is popular with this variety; slice thinly, salt lightly, and submerge in vinegar brine for a tangy condiment lasting several months. Dried daikon chips, prepared by slicing thin and air-drying or using a dehydrator at 130°F until brittle, rehydrate nicely in soups and braises. This variety's mild, slightly sweet flavor holds up particularly well to fermentation; try quick kimchi-style preparations with salt and spices for added complexity without excessive fermentation time.

History & Origin

Mediterranean

Advantages

+Easy to grow — beginner-friendly
+Quick harvest — ready in about 55 days
+Wide hardiness — grows in USDA zones 2-11

Companion Plants

Carrots and lettuce sit well alongside Summer Cross because neither competes seriously with the deep root this daikon-type develops — they occupy the top 6–8 inches of soil while the radish pushes well below that. Chives are worth the space: their sulfur compounds genuinely disorient aphids and flea beetles at close range, and flea beetles are the pest you'll actually be fighting on this crop. Tagetes patula (French marigold) has documented nematode-suppressive activity in the root zone, which is a real consideration for anything you're pulling out of the ground. Steer clear of other brassicas and turnips as neighbors — they draw the same pest complex, and packing them together turns one flea beetle problem into three.

Plant Together

Carrots

Break up soil for radish roots and don't compete for same nutrients

Lettuce

Quick harvest leaves space for radishes, provides living mulch

Spinach

Cool season companion with similar growing requirements

Chives

Repel root maggots and other soil pests that damage radishes

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for flea beetles and aphids that attack radish leaves

Marigolds

Deter nematodes and other soil pests harmful to root vegetables

Bush Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete for root space

Cucumber

Radishes can deter cucumber beetles when interplanted

Keep Apart

Hyssop

Inhibits growth of radishes and other root vegetables

Brassicas

Same family plants compete for nutrients and attract similar pests like clubroot

Turnips

Both root vegetables compete for soil space and nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Calories

41kcal(2%)

Protein

0.93g(2%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

9.58g(3%)

Fat

0.24g(0%)

Vitamin C

5.9mg(7%)

Vitamin A

835mcg(93%)

Vitamin K

13.2mcg(11%)

Iron

0.3mg(2%)

Calcium

33mg(3%)

Potassium

320mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)

Troubleshooting Summer Cross No. 3

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level within the first week or two after germination — stems look pinched and blackened at the base

Likely Causes

Damping off — a complex of soil-borne pathogens (Pythium, Rhizoctonia) that thrive in cold, waterlogged conditions
Overwatering or poorly draining seed bed

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected seedlings immediately; don't let them sit and spread spores
2.Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings — Summer Cross No. 3 germinates in 7–14 days and doesn't need to stay constantly wet
3.If direct-seeding into heavy clay, work in compost or coarse sand to improve drainage before the next sowing

Plants wilt during the day even with adequate watering, and roots show lumpy, knotted galls when pulled

Likely Causes

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) — common in sandy soils and worse after repeated radish or brassica plantings in the same bed
Root crops grown in the same spot the prior season, allowing Meloidogyne populations to build up

What to Do

1.Rotate root crops out of any given bed for at least 3–4 years — NC State Extension's vegetable gardening guidance recommends cycling by crop type (fruit, root, stem, leaf) on that interval
2.Follow Summer Cross with bush beans, which fix nitrogen through root bacteria and are not a primary Meloidogyne host
3.For heavily infested beds, leave fallow for a season or sow a sorghum-sudangrass cover crop before replanting

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Summer Cross No. 3 take to mature?▼

Summer Cross No. 3 reaches harvest maturity in approximately 55 days from sowing. This makes it ideal for mid- and late-summer harvests when planted in late spring or early summer. The relatively quick maturation allows gardeners to succession plant for continuous harvests throughout the growing season.

Is Summer Cross No. 3 good for beginners?▼

Yes, Summer Cross No. 3 is rated as an easy-to-grow variety, making it excellent for beginner gardeners. Its hybrid vigor ensures uniform growth and consistent root development. The variety is forgiving of minor growing mistakes and produces reliable yields with basic care and full sun exposure.

When should I plant Summer Cross No. 3?▼

Plant Summer Cross No. 3 in late spring through early summer for mid- and late-season harvests. Direct sow seeds after the last frost date when soil is workable. Succession sowing every 2-3 weeks extends your harvest window. Cool fall temperatures actually improve flavor, making late summer sowings particularly rewarding.

What size are the roots at harvest?▼

Summer Cross No. 3 produces uniform, long, tapered white roots that average 16 inches in length and 2.5 inches in diameter. This consistent sizing makes them ideal for market sales and uniform cooking. The substantial size is achieved in just 55 days, demonstrating the variety's efficient growing characteristics.

Can I grow Summer Cross No. 3 in containers?▼

Growing in containers is challenging for this variety due to its long 16-inch root system, which requires deep soil depth. For best results, grow directly in garden beds or raised beds with at least 18 inches of loose, well-draining soil. Container cultivation would severely limit root development and final size.

Why is Summer Cross No. 3 popular with commercial growers?▼

Summer Cross No. 3 is endorsed by critical growers and markets as a premium Japanese-style variety. Its uniform sizing, consistent quality, hybrid reliability, and 55-day maturity make it commercially attractive. The consistent 16" x 2.5" roots provide predictable yields and excellent market presentation.