Minowase Daikon Radish Seeds

Minowase Daikon Radish Seeds – Big Roots, Crisp, Mild & Fast-Growing
Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus
Listing is for 1 packet of minimum 50 seeds

Daikon radish, a staple in Asian cuisine, is celebrated for its crisp texture, mild flavor, and fast growing nature that produces long harvestable roots in a short amount of time. This Minowase variety in particular stands out for its extra-long roots (1 to 2 feet in length), that remain tender and juicy, making it perfect for salads, stir-fries, pickling, and more. For fresh eating, harvest Minowase daikon before it goes over 12 inches long. However, growing daikon extends beyond the kitchen, because it can be used as a fall or winter cover crop. Cover crops help reduce nutrient loss, add organic matter to the soil, prevent erosion, and make soil nutrients more available to plants. Daikon radish is a good choice because its long thick quick growing roots go deep into compacted soils and breaks down quickly, releasing  nutrients into the soil. When the roots decompose, they leave channels behind, making it easier for water to soak in. If you plant daikon radish early, its thick growth prevents weeds and their seeds from germinating. If you plan to grow daikon as a cover crop, Minowase is a popular variety. If harvested before it gets too mature it can be eaten or let it mature and decompose to use as a cover crop - so it is an all purpose daikon variety. 

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Allow the soil to dry out a little bit in-between watering

Soil & Fertilizer: Prepare the soil by mixing in compost and a balanced fertilizer. Once seedlings emerge, side-dress with phosphorus and potassium rich fertilizer every few weeks, and avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can lead to lush tops but small roots. Stop fertilizing once the roots begin to size up for harvest.

When & How To Sow Seeds: Direct sow seeds after your last spring frost date or in fall when you plant your fall garden. Garden zones 9 and up can direct sow seeds from fall through winter. Follow square foot gardening guidelines and plant 9 per square foot. Or if growing in rows, space them 6 inches apart in rows that are 3 feet apart. 

Germination: 7-10 days

Days To Maturity: 50 days after direct sowing the seed

How & When To Harvest: When you notice the top of the daikon/radish sticking out of the ground, push the soil back and check how wide the top is. Harvest if the top is 2 inches in diameter or more.

Common Diseases: The most common diseases when growing daikon are downy mildew, root rot, and bacterial soft rot. Downy mildew appears as yellow or brown spots on the leaves and thrives in cool, damp conditions—improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and spray with 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. Root rot, often caused by overly wet or compacted soil, can be prevented by ensuring proper drainage and avoiding overwatering. Bacterial soft rot causes the roots to become mushy and foul-smelling; this can be minimized by harvesting promptly, rotating crops annually, and avoiding injuries to the roots during growth. Practicing good garden sanitation and crop rotation is key to preventing most soil-borne diseases.

Common Pests: Common pests that affect daikon/radish include flea beetles, root maggots, and aphids. Flea beetles chew small holes in the leaves, which can stunt young plants—protect seedlings with row covers and apply neem oil or diatomaceous earth if needed. Root maggots, the larvae of certain flies, tunnel into the roots and can ruin the crop; prevent them by rotating crops, and using row covers. Aphids cluster on leaves and stems, sucking sap and spreading disease—treat with insecticidal soap or a strong spray of water. Consistent monitoring and early intervention are key to keeping these pests under control.

Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? No, but I do have a recipe video. 

How to make Korean style pickled daikon, cucumber, and carrot: https://youtu.be/h61XMRx9TDw

Additional Tips/Information: N/A