Organic 'White Icicle' radish
Organic 'White Icicle' radish (Raphanus sativus) from the seed company Gaia, a bright white radish with a delicate sweetness and a deliciously crunchy texture
The 'White Icicle' radish is easily recognizable by its slender, elongated, pure white roots, resembling tiny stalactites. Its crisp , sweet flesh reveals a fresh, subtly peppery flavor, ideal for salads or dishes where a delicate touch is desired. A heritage variety from a Swiss biodynamic seed company, it exhibits consistent vigor, beautiful uniformity, and a tapered shape of three to four inches, a testament to its genetic stability. Its tender greens are also edible, providing a second harvest with a light, herbaceous aroma.
Easy to grow in cool, well-structured soils, it allows for generous successive sowings from spring to autumn. Its firm, juicy texture is reminiscent of the delicate flavor of heritage radishes, with an elegance that lends itself equally well to raw dishes and lightly roasted preparations.
Companion plants : Carrot, Lettuce, Bean, Beetroot, Cabbage, Kale, Nasturtium, Alliums, Spinach, Squash, Cucumber
Nefarious plants : Melon, Turnip, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Potato, Hyssop
Spread/Carry : Elongated rosette
Plant height : 20 to 25 cm
Quantity per packet : 75 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Elongated white roots, mild flavor, improved vigor, stable uniformity, edible leaves
Leaf color : Medium green
Texture/flavor : Crunchy, sweet, and slightly tangy
Cold tolerance : Down to -7°C
Farming method
Sow directly outdoors at a depth of about 1 cm in loose, cool, and well-drained soil as soon as the ground is workable. Soaking for twelve hours can promote rapid germination , generally in five to seven days at temperatures between 4 and 29°C, with an optimum around 18°C . Space plants 3 to 5 cm apart and rows 20 to 30 cm apart to allow the roots to spread out without being forked. Autumn sowing will result in a gentler maturity around the first frost.
Provide full sun or partial sun (level 2) and regular watering to maintain tender flesh and limit spiciness. Consistently moist soil ensures good, linear growth and a bright white color.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the radishes are fully elongated and beginning to emerge from the soil, a sign that the root has reached maturity. Picked young, they develop a very crisp texture and a particularly delicate flavor. Cut off the tops immediately after harvesting to prolong their shelf life. Store at 1 to 2°C with 85 to 90% humidity in well-ventilated containers, where they will keep for three to four weeks.
Usage ideas
• In crunchy salads to highlight their white sweetness
• Thinly sliced into radish carpaccio
• In quick pickles , where their whiteness becomes translucent
• In light stir-fries for a juicy and sweet touch
• Briefly roasted for a melt-in-your-mouth texture
The 'White Icicle' radish brightens vegetable gardens with its slender silhouette and brilliant white color. Sweet, crisp, and versatile, it belongs to the group of heirloom varieties that combine visual elegance, ease of cultivation, and refined flavor.
