General Information
Icicle radish has a thin white skin and offers a mild radish flavor and crisp texture. This long rooted radish is typically about four to six inches in length and capped with edible greens. The pure white flesh of the Icicle radish is less piquant than the common red radish. Roasting the Icicle radish will bring out a subtly sweet flavor. The Icicle radish (Raphanus sativus), is a spring cultivator and a member of the Brassicaceae family along with cabbages, turnips and watercress. Also known as White Naples, White Italian, the Long White and White Transparent, the Icicle radish is a popular companion garden radish when growing pumpkins and squash as it is a natural deterrent of squash bugs. This specific variety of radish is also celebrated for its resistance to become pithy as many other radishes tend to do with age.
History
Icicle type radishes are believed to have first been grown in physic gardens in the 1600’s where they were studied for their medicinal applications. Like many varieties of radish the Icicle radish grows quickly and is typically mature twenty-seven days after planting from seed. Icicle radishes are easy to grow and because of their slender size are a popular variety for small gardens.
