Daikon (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early July to early September
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–7.5
- Biggest risk
- Brassica downy mildew
In the UK, daikons go in the ground early July to early September.
Daikons (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus) — annual or biennial grown as an annual.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early July in Southern England to early July in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early July to early September |
| Midlands | early July to early September |
| Northern England | early July to early September |
| Scotland | early July to early September |
Southern England - detail & sources
RHS describes an autumn to early-winter harvest for this quick-maturing root, implying a summer sowing window, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Midlands - detail & sources
RHS describes an autumn to early-winter harvest for this quick-maturing root, implying a summer sowing window, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Northern England - detail & sources
RHS describes an autumn to early-winter harvest for this quick-maturing root, implying a summer sowing window, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Scotland - detail & sources
RHS describes an autumn to early-winter harvest for this quick-maturing root, implying a summer sowing window, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6 - 7.5 |
| Sunlight | 6-6 hours direct sun |
| Soil texture | chalk, clay, loam or sand (RHS) |
| Drainage | well-drained |
| Lifecycle | annual or biennial grown as an annual |
| Edible parts | root, leaves |
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Water: moist, moisture-retentive; water regularly especially in warm weather (RHS, Gardening Know How)
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing | 0 | Sow by seed into moisture-retentive, not-too-acidic soil in full sun (RHS). |
| Root development | 3 | Grows best allowed to mature in cooler weather, 50-65F; water regularly especially in warm weather, mulch the bed (Gardening Know How). |
| Sizing | 4 | Root elongates to 20-60cm long and 5-10cm diameter depending on variety (Gardening Know How). |
| Harvest | 8 | Ready for an autumn to early-winter harvest; extremely quick to reach this stage for its root size (RHS). |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: Autumn to early-winter harvest; extremely quick to reach maturity for a root crop this size (RHS). Roots range 20-60cm long and 5-10cm in diameter depending on variety (Gardening Know How).
Diseases
Pests
Daikon, Sowing to Harvest
References
-
Daikon is a winter radish, growing best when allowed to mature in colder weather, preferring temperatures between 50-65F. Roots range 20-60cm (8-24in) long and 5-10cm (2-4in) in diameter depending on variety. Water regularly, especially in warm weather, and mulch the bed.
-
Produces long white roots for an autumn to early-winter harvest. Extremely quick to harvest, fitting into short time-slots or limited spaces. Hardiness H2 (tolerant of low temperatures but not surviving freezing, 1-5C minimum). Full sun. Soil: chalk, clay, loam or sand; moist but well-drained; acid, alkaline or neutral pH; moisture-retentive as long as it isn't too acidic. Height up to 10cm, spread 0.1-0.5m. Time to maturity 1 year (grown as an annual/biennial). Propagate by seed. PESTS: may be affected by slugs, snails, and flea beetles on brassicas and allied plants. DISEASES: susceptible to brassica downy mildew -- named directly for this variety, not inferred.
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow daikons in the UK?
In Southern England, from early July. In Scotland, wait until early July. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow daikons?
Sow early July to early September.
What soil pH do daikons need?
A pH of about 6–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect daikons?
Our data links 1 disease and 4 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-08-29
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.