Daikon Planting Guide
Daikon is a large, mild Japanese radish that can grow over a foot long. It is excellent for pickling, stir-fries, and as a soil-breaking cover crop.
Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 50–70 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Daikon Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Daikon?
Daikon Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Daikon planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | — | May 23 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 2b | — | May 15 | — | Jul 10 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 3a | — | May 8 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 3b | — | May 3 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 26 |
| Zone 4a | — | Apr 29 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 4b | — | Apr 24 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 5a | — | Apr 11 | — | Jun 6 – Jul 4 |
| Zone 5b | — | Apr 4 | — | May 30 – Jun 27 |
| Zone 6a | — | Mar 27 | — | May 22 – Jun 19 |
| Zone 6b | — | Mar 20 | — | May 15 – Jun 12 |
| Zone 7a | — | Mar 11 | — | May 6 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 4 | — | Apr 29 – May 27 |
| Zone 8a | — | Feb 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 17 |
| Zone 8b | — | Feb 11 | — | Apr 8 – May 6 |
| Zone 9a | — | Jan 20 | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Zone 9b | — | Jan 4 | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Zone 10a | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Zone 10b | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Zone 11a | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Zone 11b | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Daikon is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Transplant shows "—" because Daikon is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Daikon
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.8 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
50–70 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Brassicaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Daikon
Daikon matures in just 50–70 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.7 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Daikon
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Daikon
Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest. Loosen soil deeply before planting. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. Harvest before hard freeze as exposed shoulders may crack.
Saving Daikon Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Daikon by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Daikon?
Daikon (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus) takes 50 to 70 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Daikon grow in?
Daikon can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Daikon need?
Growing Daikon requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.8 to 7.