VegetableRadish
Shogoin Globe Radish
Shogoin Globe Radish is a Japanese heirloom daikon that defies expectations by growing mostly aboveground, reaching up to 7 inches in diameter in 70 days. These round, pale-shouldered radishes develop firm, crunchy white flesh ideal for both pickling and cooking, thriving in hardiness zones 3 through 10. What makes them particularly rewarding is their ability to succeed in clay and compacted soils where other radishes struggle, plus the visual delight of watching them emerge from the ground like pale green and white orbs.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Loose, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
12 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
4
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
12in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
These Japanese daikons are round powerhouses that push themselves above the soil surface as they mature, making them forgiving in less-than-ideal soil conditions. The pale green shoulders fade to pure white flesh that stays firm and crisp through cooking and pickling alike. Children find them endlessly entertaining to watch, and their relatively fast maturity of 70 days means results come quickly. Their aboveground growth habit eliminates the guesswork of underground harvesting; you can see exactly when they're ready.
Common Uses
Shogoin Globe Radishes excel in pickling, where their firm white flesh stands up to vinegar and spices without becoming mushy. They're also excellent cooked: sliced and stir-fried, roasted until caramelized, or simmered into soups where their mild daikon flavor shines. Raw in slaws and salads, they offer a crisp, clean crunch. Their large size means a single radish provides substantial yield, reducing the need to harvest dozens of smaller varieties.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds in late summer for fall harvest, planting into prepared soil in full sun. Press seeds into soil and keep evenly moist until germination. Space seeds roughly 4 inches apart, thinning seedlings as they emerge to final spacing.
Harvesting
Harvest when radishes reach 5 to 7 inches in diameter, typically 70 days after planting. Because they grow aboveground, maturity is visually obvious; the pale green shoulders and expanding white body are easy to monitor. Gently loosen soil around the base and pull, or use a garden fork to ease them from the ground. Harvest before the first hard freeze in fall growing conditions.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Raphanus sativus
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Raphanus
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)CAN (I)GL (I)
History & Origin
“Shogoin radishes originate from Japan, where they represent a long tradition of daikon cultivation refined over centuries. This heirloom variety was preserved and distributed through seed catalogs as gardeners recognized its practical advantages: the aboveground growth made it accessible to farmers working poor soil, and its robust nature suited both home and market gardens. The variety name 'Shogoin' references its Japanese heritage, maintaining a direct link to the region where it was developed and perfected.”