When to plant Daikon in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow daikon direct in March for an autumn crop and again in September and October for spring, setting seed 10–15 mm deep straight into the bed. This hardy Asian radish germinates fast in 5–10 days and forms its long white root in 50–70 days. Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart with rows 30–40 cm apart, and grow it in deep, loose, stone-free soil so the roots can drive down straight. Daikon does well in the cool shoulder seasons across temperate Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, when milder weather keeps the roots mild and crisp.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: March and September to October.

Growing notes

Daikon needs deep, loose soil more than anything else. The most common failure is forked, stunted or split roots, caused by heavy clay, compacted ground, or stones in the bed. Dig the soil deeply and remove obstructions before sowing, or grow shorter varieties if your ground is shallow. Because the taproot is delicate, always sow direct rather than transplanting.

Timing matters just as much. Sown into the heat of summer, daikon bolts straight to flower and the roots turn woody and hot. Stick to autumn and early spring sowings in the temperate zone so the plants bulk up in cool weather. Spring sowings should go in early enough to mature before summer heat arrives.

Keep the water up and even. Irregular watering makes roots split as they swell after a dry spell, so aim for steady moisture and mulch to buffer the soil.

Daikon is in the brassica family, so watch for flea beetle peppering the leaves with tiny holes and for aphids clustering on new growth. Neither usually stops the root forming, but a fine net keeps the worst pests off. Harvest promptly once roots reach full size, as leaving them too long makes them pithy and sharp.

Daikon at a glance

Common questions

why is my daikon forked or twisted

Forked roots are caused by heavy, stony or compacted soil that the taproot cannot push through cleanly. Dig the bed deeply and remove stones before sowing, and always sow direct rather than transplanting, since disturbing the taproot deforms it.

when should I sow daikon in a temperate climate

Sow daikon in March for an autumn crop and in September and October for spring. Avoid summer sowings, which cause bolting and woody roots. Cool shoulder-season weather keeps the roots crisp and mild.

why did my daikon bolt to seed

Bolting is triggered by heat and lengthening days. Daikon sown too late in spring or into summer runs to flower before the root fills out. Keep to autumn and early-spring sowings, and choose bolt-resistant varieties for spring.

how long does daikon take to grow

Daikon germinates in 5–10 days and forms a harvestable root in about 50–70 days. Harvest promptly once the roots reach full size, as leaving them in the ground too long makes them pithy and unpleasantly sharp.

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