By Jennifer Poindexter

Do you know one of the most undervalued crops ? The daikon – specially , since it come in many dissimilar configuration .

Radishes are my pet type of chip . I enjoy slicing them thin and dipping them in sauce most would dunk spud chips in .

daikon radish ready for harvest

I also enjoy incorporating them into my pot roast recipes in the place of potatoes . If you ’re concerned in produce more radishes , start with the daikon radish .

I ’ll walk you through everything you should have it off to produce this crop . Here ’s how you could grow daikon radishes in your garden :

What You’ll Learn:

Growing Conditions for the Daikon Radish

The daikon daikon is a sweet-flavored option that has a milder nip . If you do n’t enjoy traditional , spicierradishes , this could be a motley to explore .

Daikon Raphanus sativus longipinnatus look different in comparison to most traditional motley . Instead of being rotund and red , this style of radish is white and elongated .

It ’s still a cool weather crop and has the same crispy grain as most other radish , but you must let in it calculate a slight like a large ascendent .

daikon radish growing in garden

If you made this connection , this is how the plant was named . In Japanese , daikon radish plant is translated as big etymon . This plant life also goes by the name of Formosan turnip .

Now that you love a little more about this harvest , let ’s talk over what it call for in a growing location . Since this is a cold - weather crop , it ’s best to plant it in early spring for a late outflow harvest , late summer for a fall harvesting , or in some planting zone you may grow them over winter .

Daikon radish are frost tolerant and are typically grown as annuals in planting geographical zone two through elven . They favor to grow in temperatures between 50- and 65 - stage Fahrenheit .

harvested daikon radish from vegetable garden

Yet , the window for this craw is vast . If the temperature remain below 80 - degrees Fahrenheit but warm enough to where   the ground is n’t frozen , daikon radishes should grow .

Select a develop locating with full to partial sunlight . You should also found in dirt that ’s copious in nutrient and well - draining .

Now that you understand what this vegetable needs in a growing location , have ’s dive deeper into incorporate it into your garden .

harvested daikon radishes with text overlay gardening tips how to grow daikon radishes

How to Plant Daikon Radishes

The daikon Japanese radish is aroot veggie . Therefore , it does n’t like being trouble once seeded . For this reason , it ’s recommended to seed the seeds directly into the soil .

Till the undercoat and prepare it for seed . When ready , sow in the seeds at a depth between ¼ and ½ column inch deeply . Then softly overlay the seeds . They should be one - in asunder at this head .

Ensure there ’s a substructure of blank between each row . Keep the soil evenly damp until the ejaculate germinate . They should germinate in a week or less .

Once they ’ve sprouted , thin the plants to where there ’s a one-half foot of space between each . keep to provide fear to the plants as they raise in this growing place .

These are the few basic principle you should understand about incorporating this harvest into your garden . Daikon radishes are simple to implant , so if you ’re concerned in trying a novel crop this could be a good option .

Caring for Daikon Radishes

Now that your daikon radish are maturate in an idealistic location , lease ’s discuss how to give care for them . The first thing to be cognisant of is how you inseminate this crop .

In most cases , it ’s good to repair the soil prior to planting . Then the radishes can pull the necessary nutrients from their surround .

Should your radishes appear to call for a boost of nutrients , do n’t use a plant food high up in atomic number 7 . Too much atomic number 7 leads to leafy cat valium but pocket-sized roots .

You should also irrigate your crop profoundly . This encourage a rich and stronger root organisation . Apply more weewee in a individual lacrimation seance , fewer days of the week .

This boost the stem to dig deep for water instead of remaining shoal at the surface . Test the land prior to lacrimation again .

Ensure the soil is dry to your second metacarpophalangeal joint before having another deep lachrymation session . You should apply between a ½ inch and inch of water per calendar week .

Finally , mulch around your radishes . This helps keep weeds down around the plants which can prevent issues with pests and disease .

Plus , mulch is expectant for retaining moisture . Daikon radishes are a low - maintenance plant . Keep these wind in the vanguard of your mind while turn this crop around your home or garden .

Garden Pests and Diseases Which Can Impact Daikon Radishes

Almost every plant has a foe in the garden . The daikon Raphanus sativus longipinnatus is n’t nontaxable to this situation . The big menace from pests this plant face are from harlequin bugs , moolah maggots , and flea mallet .

You may regale each of these threats with an insecticide . Another job these crops face is from disease .

The most common disease to threaten the daikon radish are root guff and foliage spot . Should you bump leaf spot , increase airflow around the plant , insure the filth is drain adequately , and make indisputable your plant life is receiving enough sunlight .

You should also ensure that soil is n’t splosh back on the foliation of the works at the clip of watering . Mulch can assist with this .

take removing the damage portions of the plant . Be sure to destroy them alternatively of compost to avoid spreading this disease further .

ascendent rotis our next disease to discourse . This disease is avoided by growing your radishes in an field with adequate drainage .

By avoiding acquire a crop in an oversaturated situation , decompose should n’t form . If you notice your radishes are rotting , it ’s best to discard them and plant in a unlike field with comfortably drain dirt .

These are the few hardships daikon radishes may face around the garden . Take these arrow into thoughtfulness to insure you bang how to handle these common problems .

How to Harvest Daikon Radishes

Daikon radish are grow for a variety of intellect . One is to enjoy , but the other reason is for usage as acover craw .

If you use the daikon Japanese radish as a cover harvest , it may aid loose your soil and avail discourage erosion . If you ’d wish to do more than till the crop into the land for composting , take note of these tips .

Should you wish to harvest daikon radish , begin by loosening the grime around the plant . Once loosened , you should be able-bodied to lightly pull the rootage out of the background .

It may take up to three months before your radish are ready . set out by pull out a few and once you see they ’re all of a unspoiled size of it , stay harvesting .

You may choose to leave your radishes in the ground for storage . As long as the ground does n’t freeze out , they should be fine . Then you may glean as you need them .

Otherwise , perpetrate the roots from the ground and store them in a damp paper towel inside the electric refrigerator . you may remove the tops and put in them separately in a plastered plastic dish in the fridge .

Be certain to utilise your harvest quick . putting green only last for a few years where the roots may last for approximately a week .

These are the things you should cognise when harvesting daikon radishes you produce fresh in your garden . Store them properly , and you should have a fresh root crop on hand multiple time of the year .

Enjoy these Raphanus sativus longipinnatus as they add a sorcerous skin senses to a variety of culinary dishful . They also make a marvelous collation .

Not to mention , they ’re of wonderful use as a cover harvest . If you need a low - maintenance and highly functional crop , the daikon radish could be what you take .

Storing and Using Daikon Radish Quick Reference Chart

Key Takeaways:

Learn More About Daikon Radishes

https://ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl/potw-dept-folder/2022/daikon-radish.html

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1370

https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/simply-nutritious-quick-and-delicious/2025-03-20-ask-your-local-growers-about-daikon-radishes