Cold hardiness & minimum temperature

Is Cherry Belle Radish (Raphanus sativus 'Cherry Belle')cold hardy? Hardiness zone & min temp

Also called Cherry Belle Radish, Cherry Belle.

More about cherry belle radish

About Cherry Belle Radish

Raphanus sativus 'Cherry Belle' · also called Cherry Belle Radish, Cherry Belle · edible

One of the fastest vegetables in the garden, maturing in just 22–28 days from sowing. Produces perfectly round, bright scarlet roots about 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter with crisp, mild white flesh. An All-America Selections winner suited to spring and autumn sowings. Harvest promptly — roots become pithy and pungent if left in the ground beyond maturity.

Cold limit: USDA 2-11 · RHS H2 (7–18°C)

What cherry belle radish's hardiness rating actually means

Hardiness works differently for cherry belle radish: it is grown as a seasonal crop, not overwintered. The question is not "what zone" but "how long is your frost-free growing window". Its RHS rating of H2 means: Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot. On the US scale that maps to USDA 2-11 — the zones where it can be left outdoors year-round.

New to these scales? The USDA hardiness zone map explained covers how the zone numbers work, and you can find your own zone with the zone finder.

Minimum temperature — and what happens below it

As an annual crop, its "minimum temperature" is the first hard frost — that is the end of the plant's life, not a survivable low. Many types are also damaged by light frost (around 0 °C).

Concretely, for cherry belle radish as it gets too cold:

Light frost (around 0 to −2 °C) damages or kills tender summer crops outright; cold-hardy types take a few degrees of frost.
The plant does not "survive winter" — its life cycle simply ends, by design, when frost arrives or it finishes cropping.
A surprise late spring frost can also kill young transplants set out too early, before the season even starts.

Can cherry belle radish go outside or overwinter — and where?

Time it to your frost dates: sow or plant out after the last spring frost, and aim to harvest before the first autumn frost.
In short-season zones, start it indoors or under cover to stretch the effective growing window.
Hardier crops in this group can be sown for an autumn or overwintered harvest in mild zones — check the specific crop.

Work back from your local frost dates with the frost-date calculator: the last spring frost and first autumn frost are what really decide when cherry belle radish can be outside. US growers can check USDA zones; UK growers should use the RHS hardiness ratings, which match the H2 figure above.

Frost protection for borderline cherry belle radish

Cherry Belle Radish is right on a hardiness edge in many gardens, so if you are pushing it, these measures buy it the margin it needs:

Use fleece, cloches or a cold frame at each end of the season to dodge a borderline frost and add growing weeks.
Have row cover ready for an unexpected late spring or early autumn frost.
Know your local last- and first-frost dates and count back the crop’s days-to-maturity to schedule the sowing.

Cherry Belle Radish hardiness — frequently asked questions

Is cherry belle radish cold hardy?

Hardiness works differently for cherry belle radish: it is grown as a seasonal crop, not overwintered. The question is not "what zone" but "how long is your frost-free growing window". A seasonal crop, not a perennial. Cherry Belle Radish is grown as an annual in USDA 2-11; you sow after the last frost and harvest before the first one, then start again next year.

What is the minimum temperature cherry belle radish can survive?

As an annual crop, its "minimum temperature" is the first hard frost — that is the end of the plant's life, not a survivable low. Many types are also damaged by light frost (around 0 °C).

What hardiness zone is cherry belle radish?

Cherry Belle Radish is rated USDA 2-11 and RHS H2 — Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot.

Can cherry belle radish survive winter outside?

Time it to your frost dates: sow or plant out after the last spring frost, and aim to harvest before the first autumn frost. In short-season zones, start it indoors or under cover to stretch the effective growing window. Hardier crops in this group can be sown for an autumn or overwintered harvest in mild zones — check the specific crop.

How do I protect cherry belle radish from frost?

Use fleece, cloches or a cold frame at each end of the season to dodge a borderline frost and add growing weeks. Have row cover ready for an unexpected late spring or early autumn frost. Know your local last- and first-frost dates and count back the crop’s days-to-maturity to schedule the sowing.