When can I plant daikon radish outside?

Direct sow or transplant right around your last spring frost.

How long until daikon radish is ready to harvest?

50-70 days. Roots are 2-3 inches in diameter and 12+ inches long; harvest before hard freeze; shoulders often push above soil

Lawn Guardian

When to Plant Daikon Radish

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

root_vegetableZones 2–10beginner

Large Asian radish growing 12-18 inches long with a mild, crisp flavor. Excellent fresh, pickled, or in stir-fries. Also used as a cover crop to break compacted soil.

Planting calendar

Direct sow / transplant

Right around your last spring frost.

Fall planting

8 weeks before your first fall frost.

Best as fall crop; summer heat causes bolting; excellent soil-breaking cover crop

Spacing & harvest

Plant spacing: 4-6 inches
Row spacing: 12-18 inches
Days to harvest: 50-70 days
Ready when: Roots are 2-3 inches in diameter and 12+ inches long; harvest before hard freeze; shoulders often push above soil

Companion planting

Plant near

Cucumber — Repels cucumber beetles
Lettuce (Butterhead) — Loosens soil for lettuce roots

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Sources: Purdue University Turfgrass Science: Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications · University of Missouri Extension: Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar · University of Minnesota Extension: Pre-emergent Herbicides for Crabgrass Control in Lawns