All Seasons White Daikon
Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus 'All Seasons White'
A versatile Japanese daikon radish that can be grown in both spring and fall, producing impressive 14-18 inch long white roots weighing up to 2 pounds each. This reliable variety offers the classic mild, crisp texture that makes daikon so popular in Asian cuisine, while being much easier to grow than many specialty varieties. Perfect for gardeners wanting to explore Asian vegetables or those seeking a substantial, storage-friendly root crop.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
0-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for All Seasons White Daikon in USDA Zone 7
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All Seasons White Daikon · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Start by preparing your soil well before sowing—All Seasons White Daikon develops those impressive 14-18 inch roots only in deeply cultivated, obstacle-free ground. Work the soil to at least 20 inches deep, removing rocks, roots, and clay clumps that could cause forked or stunted roots. Mix in 2-3 inches of compost, but avoid fresh manure which encourages leafy growth at the expense of root development.
Direct sow only—daikon radishes develop taproots immediately and transplanting will result in deformed roots. In spring, plant 2-3 weeks before your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F. For fall crops (often superior), sow 10-12 weeks before your first hard frost. Plant seeds ½ inch deep in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart. You'll be tempted to plant too densely, but resist—overcrowding leads to all tops and no roots.
Thin ruthlessly when seedlings reach 2 inches tall, leaving 4-6 inches between plants. This feels wasteful but is crucial for proper root development. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at thinning time, then switch to low-nitrogen fertilizer after 4 weeks—too much nitrogen creates leafy monsters with pencil-thin roots.
Maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing period, providing about 1 inch weekly. Irregular watering causes woody, cracked roots. Mulch around plants once established to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the crown to prevent rot.
Watch for flea beetle damage on young leaves—row covers for the first 3-4 weeks provide excellent protection. Remove covers once plants are established, as mature daikon can tolerate some leaf damage without affecting root quality.
Harvesting
Harvest All Seasons White Daikon when roots reach 12-18 inches long and 2-4 inches in diameter, typically 60-70 days from sowing. The shoulder (top portion) should be clearly visible above ground, appearing bright white and firm. Test readiness by gently brushing soil away from the shoulder—mature roots feel solid when pressed and the skin appears smooth and taut.
Harvest in morning when roots are fully hydrated and crisp. Loosen soil around each root with a spading fork, working 6 inches away from the root to avoid puncturing. Grasp the leaves close to the crown and pull straight up with steady pressure—properly grown daikon should lift cleanly. If you encounter resistance, loosen more soil rather than forcing the pull, which can snap the root.
Harvest before hard frost, though light frost actually improves flavor by converting starches to sugars. Remove tops immediately after harvest, leaving about an inch of stem to prevent moisture loss.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh daikon stores exceptionally well when handled properly. Remove tops immediately after harvest and brush off soil—don't wash until ready to use. Store unwashed roots in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer, where they'll maintain quality for 2-3 months at 32-35°F with high humidity.
For longer storage, layer roots in damp sand or peat moss in a cool basement or root cellar (32-40°F). Properly stored this way, All Seasons White Daikon keeps 4-6 months. Traditional preservation includes lacto-fermentation into Korean-style kimchi or Japanese tsukemono pickles, which develop complex flavors over weeks. Daikon also dehydrates well when sliced thin—dried strips rehydrate perfectly for soups and stews. Grated fresh daikon can be frozen for cooked applications, though texture becomes softer after thawing.
History & Origin
All Seasons White Daikon represents a modern refinement of traditional Japanese daikon radish (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus), which has been cultivated in East Asia for over 1,000 years. The original daikon varieties were typically season-specific—spring types that bolted quickly in summer heat, and fall varieties that couldn't withstand spring temperature fluctuations.
This variety was developed in the late 20th century by Japanese breeders seeking to create a more adaptable daikon for both commercial and home garden production. By selecting for heat tolerance and bolt resistance, they created a variety that maintains the classic long white root form while offering the flexibility to plant in both spring and fall seasons—hence the 'All Seasons' designation.
The breeding program specifically focused on maintaining the traditional mild flavor profile while improving disease resistance, particularly to clubroot, which had been devastating daikon crops. This variety represents the successful marriage of traditional Japanese culinary requirements with modern agricultural needs for reliability and extended growing seasons.
Advantages
- +Exceptional bolt resistance allows reliable spring plantings even with temperature fluctuations
- +Impressive 14-18 inch roots with excellent uniformity and minimal forking in proper soil
- +Strong clubroot tolerance provides reliable harvests in problem soils
- +Extended harvest window—roots hold quality in ground for 2-3 weeks past maturity
- +Excellent storage life of 2-3 months refrigerated without quality loss
- +Mild flavor appeals to both Asian cuisine enthusiasts and newcomers to daikon
- +Heavy yields with individual roots reaching 2 pounds each when properly spaced
Considerations
- -Requires deep soil cultivation to at least 20 inches for proper root development
- -Cannot be transplanted—failed direct sowings mean starting over completely
- -Vulnerable to flea beetle damage on young seedlings requiring early protection
- -Takes up significant garden space with 4-6 inch spacing requirements
- -Root quality suffers dramatically in clay or rocky soils despite soil preparation
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Carrots
Different root depths prevent competition, carrots help break up soil for daikon
Lettuce
Shallow roots don't compete with daikon, can be harvested before daikon needs full space
Spinach
Cool-season crop that complements daikon's growing period, doesn't compete for root space
Peas
Fix nitrogen in soil benefiting daikon growth, cool-season compatibility
Radishes
Help break up compacted soil for daikon root penetration, similar growing requirements
Onions
Repel root maggots and other soil pests that can damage daikon roots
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent for aphids and root flies, doesn't compete for space
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests, attract beneficial insects
Keep Apart
Brassicas
Same family as daikon, compete for nutrients and attract similar pests like flea beetles
Fennel
Allelopathic effects inhibit growth of most vegetables including daikon
Tomatoes
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, different watering needs can stress daikon
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease resistance, tolerant of clubroot
Common Pests
Flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, aphids
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, bacterial soft rot