When to Plant Daikon in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow March to May and August to September. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Daikon guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Daikon

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Daikon is a large, mild-flavoured Asian radish that has become increasingly popular in Australian home gardens. It grows fast (60-70 days), breaks up compacted soil with its deep taproot, and is excellent both as a food crop and green manure. Easier to grow than many root vegetables, it thrives in cooler months across all Australian zones.

Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - D D D - - D D - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 10–20°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Daikon in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

September to April. Spring and autumn are best. Summer sowings can produce excellent results in Melbourne's moderate heat.

Soil
Deep, loose, well-drained soil free of stones. Daikon roots can grow 30-60cm long, so soil must be deeply prepared. Sandy loam is ideal. In heavy clay, grow in raised beds at least 40cm deep or choose shorter varieties like Alpine.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates light shade.
Spacing
25cm apart, 45cm between rows
Watering
Even, consistent moisture throughout growth. Water deeply 2-3 times per week. Inconsistent watering causes cracking and pithy (hollow) roots. Reduce slightly in last week before harvest.

Companion plants: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Beans, Cucumber

Avoid planting near: Other brassicas (shares diseases), Strawberry

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Daikon

Recommended Varieties

  • Mino Early
  • April Cross
  • Minowase
  • Miyashige

Key Challenges

  • Cold soil delaying germination in early spring
  • Club root
  • Caterpillar damage

Pro Tips

  • Melbourne's climate is excellent for daikon. Grow it autumn and spring
  • Can be left in ground through mild winters and harvested as needed
  • Excellent as a biofumigant cover crop turned in before planting tomatoes or potatoes

Harvesting Daikon

When ready: Root shoulders 5-8cm diameter, visible above soil. Typically 60-70 days from sowing. Pull one test root. Root should be firm, white, and crisp. Pithy or hollow centre means overmaturity.

How to harvest: Loosen soil deeply alongside the root with a garden fork before pulling. Daikon roots can be 30-60cm long and will snap if forced. Grasp at the crown and lift steadily. Do not twist.

Common Daikon Pests in Cool Temperate Zones

Root Maggots, risk: MODERATE (score: 48/100)

Organic prevention: Net crops immediately after sowing. Interplant with strong-scented herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage). Decoy moths with white butterfly shapes on sticks (wasps attack territories they think are occupied).

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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Common Questions About Daikon

When do you plant daikon in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does daikon grow all year round in Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Mar to May, Aug to Sep. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.