Daikon Radish Seeds

Japanese Daikon radish seeds produce a mild and tasty annual crop. This top-quality variety is a kitchen essential. A wonderful crop to improve soil structure! Long roots break up hard soils and allow water and oxygen to get deep into the soil, feeding the soil life that is essential for good organic soils. Their mild flavor and texture make them a great addition to many recipes; we love to add them to our kimchi! Daikon Radishes do best in soil pH of  6.0-7.0. They love well-drained soil but are pretty easy to grow otherwise. Just be sure to avoid excess nitrogen! In about a month and a half, to two months, you’ll have your own delicious, nutritious Daikon radishes to enjoy!

Zones 9-10

• Radishes are a cool season crop in Zones 9 and 10. You can plant them in the fall through late spring. In mild areas they can be grown year round with crop protection.

Zones 2-8

• Direct sow daikon radish seeds when the threat of frost has passed and soil can be worked in early spring.

Planting Radish Seeds

• In Zones 9 and 10, direct seed in full sun or transplant out. Because of our hot fall weather, we often plant radishes in starter trays to protect them from the heat and Santa Anna winds. We transplant them out in deeply irrigated soil under the protection of shade cloth.
• To direct sow, plant seeds in well-worked soil that has been deeply watered and is debris free. Cover with 1/2″ of finely sifted soil.
• If you are using starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil. Place seeds on the top of the soil and cover with 1/2″ of finely sifted soil.
• Once your radish seeds have germinated and are 1-2″ tall, fertilize with an organic liquid fertilizer. When the plants are 3-4″ tall you can plant them out into the garden.
• Space plants at least 4″ apart.

Growing Radishes

• Radishes are easy to grow when grown in cool environments. Radishes do not respond well in hot, dry soils; they can become pithy and bitter.
• Mulching heavily around your plants will help with weed suppression and moisture retention.

Harvesting Radishes

• Radishes can be pulled from the ground at their desirable size. Do not let radishes get too big as they will become fibrous.

Growing Radishes in Containers

• Radishes are great for growing in containers. Just make sure your container is at least 10″ deep and wide enough to give each plant space to grow. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top layer of soil in the pot to keep the soil from drying out or heating up too much.

Southern California Pro-tips

• Protecting radishes from heat spells or hot weather is critical. Use shade cloth when necessary.
• Mulch heavily around your plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up.
• When planting in the fall, aphids can be an issue due to the heat. Watch your plants carefully and rinse off any aphids you see until the soil cools.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Radishes are a quick crop and can be grown easily in between other cool-season crops that take longer to mature. Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are good choices.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests like aphids at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.

What do Pac Choi, Daikon radish, Mizuna mustard, Black Knight Tatsoi, and Tokyo onion have in common? They’re all essential ingredients for Asian dishes we love to make and eat! Be sure to include them in your cool-season garden as you decide What Vegetables to Plant in Fall.