Oriental Radish (Rhaphanus) – Daikon (winter radish, Chinese radish, lobok): Root crop. Easy to grow. Fast growing.
Wonderful plant: nourishes (predominantly with nitrogen) your soil while loosening up hard soil; whole plant is edible!!!
The leaves can be used to make pesto. (I still have to try that)
The radish pods are edible: stir fry, salads, pickles.
And if left to dry and brown, can harvest the seeds in the pods for replanting.
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Radish Growing Guide
Sow (when, temp, soil, location)
- sow year round
- sow: lightly (5mm depth)
- sow direct
- plant spacing: 5cm
- soil: well dug (loosen soil to 8″ or more), rich
- sunny (full sun to part shade)
Harvest/Germination
- germinate: 5-8 days
- harvest: 3-4wks (dig carefully – radish rather brittle)
Care/Watering
- Keep Moist: germination
- water regularly – growing period
- when 2nd leaf appears: thin out seedlings to 3-5cm (1-2″) apart
- for continuity: sow every 2wks
- Note: best when allowed to mature in cool weather
- 1/2″ layer mulch (retain moisture)
Companions
beans (all), beets, carrots, chervil, corn, cress, cucumber, eggplant, leeks, lettuce, melons, nasturtium, parsips, peas, spinach, squash, strawberry
Enemies
broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, gherkin, grape vine, hyssop, kohlrabi, turnip
Other Notes
- roots can grow up to 30cm/12″ long
- can remain in ground for some time before going woody
- apprx 2 foot leaf spread
- BOLT: tendency to bolt early in warm/hot weather
Our Radish/Daikon Progress
I didn’t take more photos. I should have coz. we had a bumper crop!
26 Sept 2019
While getting beds ready, I weeded these out. Pretty but useless as edible diakons. I think maybe I planted them too late last year. Don’t remember when that was though.
Addendum: Jan 2020
I just found out recently that I didn’t need to pull out the plant just because it bolted. Daikon radish flowers, leaves, and most importantly daikon pods can be eaten!!! (See below for more info).
27 Sept 2019
Planted new crop of daikons
I planted some in the front garden as well. They also bolted early. While the radishes were large, once the plant has flowered, the radish tuber/root can be a bit hard and inedible.
Daikon Pod Pickles
I am experimenting with the daikon pods and attempting to make some pickles. I will write up a recipe if the experiment works.
Brief notes: 2 different pickles:- pods + carrots; pods + scoby
Pods: quick scald in hot water, immediately into cold water, pat dry.
Fill up in jar.
Pickle juice: old kombucha liquid, sugar (3-4T); salt (1/2T). Bring to boil. Pour over contents in jars.
References:
- australianplantsonline.com.au: Oriental radish, daikon
- dirtsecrets.com: The Secret to Soil Health is in the Roots – re. benefits of planting daikon
- gardenbetty.com: Radish Seed Pods (and some Pickles) – re. great article on how to fully use the daikon plant, including the pods.
- youtube/Tasty Like Whoa: Easy and Delicious Vietnamese Pickled Daikon and Carrots – for pickling ideas
- youtube/Everyday Food: Quick Pickles – pickling ideas with pre-salting
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