Radish Red Rat's Tail is a productive heirloom grown for its tender, crisp seed pods rather than a traditional radish root. The long, slender pods have a pleasantly spicy, mustardy flavor that is delicious fresh, pickled, or added to stir-fries. Harvest young pods at about 5–6 inches while still tender, then enjoy regular pickings from vigorous, branching plants that benefit from staking or trellising. Each packet contains 1,000 non-GMO heirloom seeds.

Germination Rate: 96%. Test Date: 03/26. FF.

Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 75%

Why Choose Red Rat's Tail?

• Edible Pods: Enjoy crunchy, radish-flavored pods instead of the swollen roots grown from common radish varieties.
• Distinctive Flavor: Add a peppery, mustardy bite to salads, vegetable plates, refrigerator pickles, and cooked dishes.
• Extended Picking: Regular harvesting of tender pods encourages continued production rather than allowing pods to mature on the plant.
• Garden Interest: Tall, branching plants and unusual pods bring something different to the vegetable garden.
• Heirloom Seeds: Grow a traditional non-GMO variety with a practical place in both the garden and kitchen.

Planting Tips for Success

• Site: Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with room for a tall, branching plant.
• Sowing: Direct sow after danger of frost has passed. Keep the seedbed evenly moist while seedlings establish and thin crowded plants to allow airflow.
• Support: Install stakes or a sturdy trellis before plants become heavily branched. Tie stems loosely as needed without constricting growth.
• Watering: Water consistently at soil level, avoiding prolonged waterlogging. Mulch once seedlings are established to help conserve moisture.
• Fertilizing: Work finished compost into the soil before planting. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can favor leafy growth over pod production.
• Flowering: Allow plants to flower and set pods; unlike root radishes, flowering is part of the intended harvest cycle.
• Harvesting: Pick young pods around 5–6 inches long while tender. Texture matters more than length, so sample early and remove tough, oversized pods regularly.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.

Cooking Methods

• Fresh: Wash and trim young pods, then serve whole with dips or slice into salads for a peppery crunch.
• Quick-Pickled: Use a refrigerator-pickle recipe for a tangy condiment. Keep refrigerated; quick pickling does not make pods shelf-stable.
• Stir-Fried: Add near the end of cooking so the pods warm through while keeping some crispness.
• Sautéed: Cook briefly with oil, garlic, and herbs for an easy side dish; discard fibrous pods rather than trying to soften them with prolonged cooking.

Order Radish Red Rat's Tail Seeds Today

Grow a steady harvest of distinctive, peppery radish pods in your own garden.

Nutritional Information

• Harvested Pods, Not Planting Seeds: Food information applies to the young edible pods harvested from mature plants, not the packet contents.
• Variety-Specific Data: A verified nutrient analysis and serving-based % Daily Value breakdown for Red Rat's Tail pods is not available in this listing.
• Preparation Matters: Portion size and added oil, sauces, or pickling brine affect the finished dish's nutritional content, especially sodium.

Root-radish nutrient values should not be treated as a nutritional analysis of edible radish pods.

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Red Rat's Tail is grown for edible seed pods, not a traditional radish root. Pod tenderness, flavor, and production vary with harvest stage and growing conditions.
• Seed Storage: Store unused seeds in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Keep the packet sealed until planting.
• Planting Zones: Use local frost dates and growing conditions to determine sowing time; hardiness zone alone does not establish planting dates.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.

Garlic-Ginger Red Rat's Tail Radish Pod Stir-Fry

Use tender harvested pods for this quick, savory side dish. The planting seeds in this packet are not recipe ingredients. Serves 4 as a side. Preparation: 10 minutes. Cooking: 5–7 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces young, tender Red Rat's Tail radish pods
• 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce, or gluten-free tamari if needed
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional
• Cooked rice, optional, for serving

Directions

1. Wash the harvested pods under running water and dry thoroughly. Trim the stems and any tough tips. Discard fibrous or overmature pods and cut tender pods into roughly 2-inch pieces.
2. Mix the soy sauce or tamari, water, and rice vinegar in a small bowl.
3. Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the pods and stir-fry for 3–4 minutes, until bright and crisp-tender.
4. Add the garlic and ginger. Stir for about 30 seconds, keeping them moving so they do not burn.
5. Add the sauce mixture and toss for 1–2 minutes, until the pods are coated and cooked to your liking. Remove from the heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil.
6. Top with scallions and optional sesame seeds. Serve immediately, with cooked rice if desired.

Serving and Storage

For a milder dish, choose the youngest tender pods and serve with plain rice. Soy and sesame are allergens; choose suitable substitutions when needed. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in a covered container, use within 3–4 days, and reheat to 165°F before serving.