Daikon growing tricks from an experienced gardener

Growing daikon outdoors

Daikon has already managed to fall in love with many gardeners and gardeners of our vast country. But not everyone knows how to do daikon cultivation correctly, often the daikon yield is low and very poor. I want to share with you little tricks for growing this healthy root vegetable. I start planting daikon in winter. Young daikon greens are very beneficial and can be eaten like the leaves of regular garden lettuce. Daikon greens have a very delicate and fresh taste, and vaguely resemble radishes. Growing a daikon is extremely easy and hassle-free. I take pots or large plastic containers, and I put non-woven cloth or gauze on the bottom. I fill it with water very abundantly and spread the daikon seeds in one layer. I water the fabric regularly, the daikon loves moisture very much. After two or three weeks of growth, I begin to shoot the first harvest of fresh and juicy greens.

Spring sowing planting of daikon

All gardeners have long known that the daikon does not tolerate long daylight hours. Therefore, they begin to plant it either in early spring or in the middle of summer, preferably in July. I sow daikon twice a season and get a good harvest of my favorite root crop. In the spring, I always plant more early ripening varieties. In April, as soon as the snow melts, I start sowing. A couple of years ago, I began to notice that a daikon planted in the beds where tomatoes, legumes or squash had previously grown, feels great. For spring planting, it is best to use the seedling method. The depth of the container should be 15 - 20 cm, since the daikon has a very long root. I always try to sow seeds in well-moisturized and loose soil. I plant the seed to a depth of about 2 - 3 cm. I close the container with glass and put it in a warm and shady place. When the leaves begin to form in the seedlings, I start feeding. I feed with mineral fertilizer; it is very important to remember that fertilizer should be of low concentration. Before planting the daikon in the open ground, you will need to dig deep enough into the area under the garden bed. I use humus as a fertilizer when digging. I leave a decent distance between the seedlings, about 40 cm. And between the rows about a meter. Before planting the daikon in the ground, I mulch and compact the soil well, then water it with warm water. If there is a risk of night temperature drops and sudden cold snaps, I cover the bed with a film or non-woven material. After transplanting, the daikon requires watering every day, after a week in the open field, I gradually reduce the amount of watering. Root crops planted in early spring, I begin to sprout at the end of June. Early varieties of root vegetables are best eaten immediately, as they are not suitable for long-term storage.

Growing daikon outdoors and caring for the crop

Daikon root vegetables, planted in July, on the other hand, are perfectly stored all winter in an underground or cellar. Daikon winters well and retains its freshness until May. It can be stored both in a sand box and in perforated bags.
In summer, the daikon sows directly into the open ground. I try to put one seed in the hole. After the shoots appear, I must thin out the garden, pull out weak and sluggish shoots. There is no difference between spring and summer daikon care. But it should not be overlooked that the summer daikon can suffer from pests such as the cruciferous flea. In order to reduce the risk of its appearance on the beds with daikon, I thoroughly mulch the bed with ash.This should be done immediately after germination. I carry out this procedure whenever possible, but no more than twice a month.