When to Plant Daikon in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow April 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 Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne 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 Subtropical

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 10–20°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Daikon in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

February to August. Autumn sowings (March-May) are most reliable. Bolts in October onwards.

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

Subtropical Growing Tips for Daikon

Recommended Varieties

  • Mino Early
  • April Cross
  • Tokinashi
  • Alpine (short variety for heavy soils)

Key Challenges

  • Bolting in warm spring weather
  • Cabbage white butterfly year-round
  • Clubroot in acidic SEQ soils

Pro Tips

  • Autumn is your window. Sow March-May for reliable crops
  • Net against cabbage white butterfly from day one
  • Lime acidic SEQ soils well before planting (pH test first)

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 Subtropical Zones

Root Maggots, risk: MODERATE (score: 51/100)

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 subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

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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 Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Apr, 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.