Daikon Radish - Planting Instruction

Daikon radish is an upright annual root legume and cool-season crop. These root crops have become more popular as a cover crop within the last decade because of their ability to protect the soil from weeds while adding nutrients back to the soil. Daikon radish's hardy and solid roots are able to provide deep channels in the soil that enrich neighboring and subsequent crops. Daikon radish is considered a winter radish and should be sown in the late summer to allow leafy crowns to fully grow before mowing.

Plant Specifications

Life Cycle: Annual

Season: Cool season

Light: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Days to Sprout: 5-7 days

Days to Maturity: 45-60 days

Optimal soil temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F)

Seed type: Open-pollinated

Seed Depth: 5 mm (1/4“)

Seed Spacing: 15 cm (6″)

Row Spacing: 45-60cm (18-24″)

Plant: Directly sow. Does not transplant well

How to Grow

Radishes can be grown all season but they’re easiest when sown just after the last frost date and again at the end of summer and into the fall. Optimal soil temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-7 days.

Best in rich, loamy well-draining soil amended with amended with compost up to 8 inches from the surface. Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, seed spacing 15cm (6″) in rows spaced 45-60cm (18-24″) apart.

Radishes are moderate to heavy feeders. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers.

Water regularly. Keep moist, but not wet.

Harvest promptly when radishes are the size of large marbles. The leaves and developing seedpods are also tasty.

Succession planting:

For a continuous supply, sow about every 2 weeks until 2–3 weeks before the first frost.

Diseases & pests:

Cabbage worms and loopers can be controlled with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or by applying fabric row cover. Prevent disease with crop rotation and sanitation.