Mino Early

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Sweetly mild and delicately crisp, Mino Early daikon develops a clean, refreshing bite with a tender, juicy texture that stays pleasantly snappy from garden to table.

Its smooth, uniform roots are prized for their quick turnaround—about 50 days—making it an ideal choice when you want flavor that feels bright and effortless. Enjoy Mino Early as a fresh, crunchy radish, or let its gentle character shine in quick pickles and savory sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Taproot

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Mino Early daikon is for when you want radish snap without the peppery slap—its juicy crunch keeps its integrity in sharp vinegar so the bite reads clean, not cooked-through. Slice it paper-thin and let soy, vinegar, ginger, and sesame do the heavy lifting while the sweetness stays audible.

Best Uses

thin-matched slices for crunchy salads with minimal dressing
quick pickling where it stays bright and crisp
shaved daikon in cold sesame sauces
daikon-forward crudités with salt, citrus, and warm fat

Flavor Profile

sweetly mild radish heat clean, refreshing bite tender, juicy crunch that stays snappy

Kitchen Pairings

soy sauce rice vinegar sesame oil ginger lime miso

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Raphanus sativus (radish), and how do I control it?

A common issue is flea beetle feeding, which creates tiny shot-like holes in radish leaves and can stunt roots. Use floating row cover from sowing until harvest and keep weeds down; if needed, spray radishes in the evening with insecticidal soap and reapply per label directions. If you see black, water-soaked spots or damping-off in young seedlings, discard affected seedlings and avoid overwatering—radishes in Brassicaceae rot quickly when soil stays soggy.

How often should I water radishes during the main growing phase (about weeks 2–6)?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, since Raphanus sativus forms the best roots when moisture is steady. Water enough to wet the top 6–8 in (15–20 cm) when the surface dries—typically every 1–3 days in full sun, but less in cool weather. If you let the soil dry and then flood it, radishes are more likely to become pithy or split.

How can I tell when my radishes are ready to harvest at ~50 days?

Harvest when the roots reach the expected size listed on your seed packet and feel firm under the soil—most Raphanus sativus is best at small-to-medium diameter, before it turns woody. Pull one sample radish early to check the size and internal crunch; if the root tip is starting to look elongated and fibrous, harvest immediately. In warm weather, check every 2–3 days near maturity so you don’t miss the window.