Growing Daikon, also Japanese radish, Lo Bok

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P              

(Best months for growing Daikon in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Direct in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Dig daikon carefully. They are rather brittle..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Chervil, cress,lettuce, leeks, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes
  • Avoid growing close to: Gherkins, hyssop
  • Mature daikon

A long white radish, milder flavour than the small round or oval radishes. Most varieties of Daikon prefer cooler weather. Have a tendency to 'bolt' or flower early in warm/hot weather. Choose a variety to suit your climate. Grow in deep soil and water regularly. They will grow as big as large parsnips if left but the best flavour seems to be when they are about the size of a carrot.

Can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks if washed and dried and the leaves cut off.

A range of varieties of Daikon is available, some will do better in warm areas.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Daikon

Daikon radish can be eaten simmered, stir fried, grated, pickled or baked. Its leaves are also edible and can be used in recipes that call for turnip greens, and its seeds make sprouts to eat in salads or in sandwiches.

Your comments and tips

25 Jan 24, Angela Ojeda (USA - Zone 10a climate)
can you add cover crops planting information.
08 Sep 23, Tom (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What is the best variety of daikon to grow in zone 9b ?
14 Sep 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Any variety.
06 Aug 22, Dave (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Hi I live in Pitts pa and getting ready to plant some Japanese minowase seeds I was wonder when is the best time to plant them
28 Apr 22, (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Some maps say im zone 6a others say I'm in 6b so I'm not sure my exact zone but it's definitely 6. I bought this variety to plant as a cover crop with plans to leave it to grow until winter kills it. When is the best time for me to plant it? I would prefer it to get super big before bolting for all the reasons they are used as a cover crop. My absolute preference would be it grew huge and long then freeze without many bolting.
02 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look in the monthly calendar guide at the top of the page. Give it plenty of fert especially Nitrogen.
03 Aug 20, Alice (USA - Zone 5b climate)
My diakons grew long leaves that are flowering already and the roots are only 1 or 2 inches. Do I need to pull them?
06 Aug 20, Anon (USA - Zone 2a climate)
Too rich a soil probably. Radish do not like rich soil, produces all leaf.
11 Mar 12, Karen Lovadina (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I live in St. Louis , MO. and I planted Daikon directly seeded last October, 2011. I think it was a winter variety but, I'm not sure. Anyway, it lasted all through the winter, which was mild, and now the leasves are about 5 - 6 inches long and the plants are extremely close together. Should I thin them out or will they push each other out? The daikon is only a sliver, literally only as thick as a quarter of a pencil. Thanks for any info you can give me. Karen
17 Mar 17, mark (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Do you still grow daikon radishes and how did they turn out? I live in Kansas City, MO and I was thinking about growing them to eat and improve my soil. Thanks!

I live in St. Louis , MO. and I planted Daikon directly seeded last October, 2011. I think it was a winter variety but, I'm not sure. Anyway, it lasted all through the winter, which was mild, and now the leasves are about 5 - 6 inches long and the plants are extremely close together. Should I thin them out or will they push each other out? The daikon is only a sliver, literally only as thick as a quarter of a pencil. Thanks for any info you can give me. Karen

- Karen Lovadina

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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