Daikon radish is a cool-season broadleaf cover crop, prized for its deep taproot and soil-conditioning power. It continues to show impressive results in improving yields and managing weeds—with strong agronomic returns at low per-acre cost. Fast-growing and upright, it thrives in post-harvest windows and suits compacted or nutrient-depleted soils.
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Breaks Up Compaction: The thick radish taproot drills deep into dense soils, loosening hardpan layers — improving water infiltration and root access.
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Scavenges Nutrients: As it grows, daikon pulls up nitrogen and other nutrients from lower soil profiles, helping reduce leaching and improve spring availability.
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Improves Soil Health: Upon winterkill or termination, decaying radish adds organic matter, feeds soil microbes, and leaves natural channels for early spring crops.
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Easy to Manage: In northern climates, daikon typically winterkills after several nights below 25°F, making it a low-maintenance, herbicide-free option in most rotations. When daikon does overwinter, it’s easily controlled with herbicides.
Type: Broadleaf
Season: Cool Season
Seeding & Growth
Precision: 4 lb/A
Drilled: 6 lb/A, 1/4" to 3/4" deep
Broadcast: 8 lb/A
Aerial: 10 lb/A
Dates: 3-10 weeks before average first frost
Avg seeds/lb: 25,000
Emergence: 3-5 days
Height: 12"-18"
Inoculate: No
Drought and Heat: Good heat and drought tolerance
Flooding: Does not tolerate flooding or ponding
Frequently Asked Questions: Daikon Radish
When should I plant daikon radish for the best results?
The best time to plant daikon radish is around 3 to 10 weeks before the expected first frost. This gives the plants enough time to grow before freezing conditions hit. Daikon is especially useful as a follow-up to late-harvested crops, helping improve soil health and nutrient retention.
Can daikon radish survive the winter?
Daikon radish can handle cool temperatures and light frosts but usually won’t survive a hard freeze, especially in colder regions. It's often planted in late summer to winterkill, leaving behind roots that break up compacted soil and improve structure for spring planting.
What are the benefits of daikon radish as a cover crop?
Daikon helps break up compacted soil, improve drainage, and scavenge leftover nutrients with its deep radish taproots. It’s typically planted prior to spring crops to enhance soil structure, support microbial activity, and deliver strong agronomic returns at a low per-acre cost.
Can I buy daikon radish seed in bulk?
At Sustain Seed + Soil, we offer daikon radish seed in sizes to suit any scale — from 25 lb bags to 2000 lb totes. Whether you're sowing a small cover crop or managing large-acreage soil health, our daikon radish seed is ready to support your growing strategy.
