When to plant Mooli in Durham

Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

Mooli
Mooli · Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

A fast-growing Japanese radish for the UK veg patch. Sow direct into a fine, stone-free soil in summer, keep it well watered, and lift roots once they reach a good size and before they get woody.

40 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Durham · last frost ≈ 10 May

Sow outdoors July to August, harvest October. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Prepare the bed

    12 Jul to 26 Jul

    Fork the bed around 12th July - 26th July. Pick out stones and rake to a fine tilth so roots grow straight. Do not add fresh manure. It makes roots fork and split.

  2. 02

    Sow seeds

    26 Jul to 16 Aug Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow where the plants are to grow, about deep. Water the drill. Sow a fresh batch every 21 days through 26th July - 16th August. One sowing is enough if the window is short.

    • In a mild town, wait for cooler, shortening days. Sowing on long, warming days can make plants bolt.

  3. 03

    Protect from root fly

    26 Jul to 16 Oct

    Cover each sowing with fine insect mesh straight after sowing and seal the edges. Keep it on from 26th July through 16th October so cabbage root fly cannot lay eggs.

  4. 04

    Thin seedlings

    9 Aug to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, thin to apart once seedlings are up. Thin in stages if the row is crowded, so you do not disturb nearby roots.

  5. 05

    Keep growing

    26 Jul to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, water evenly from 26th July through 16th October. Uneven moisture makes roots split or go pithy. Keep the bed weed-free. Flea beetle holes look worse than they are.

  6. 06

    Harvest roots

    4 Oct to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Lift roots from 4th October, about 8 to 10 weeks after sowing. Pull them before they go woody, and keep lifting through 16th October.

    • A cloche in autumn helps later roots finish.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Mooli.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Mooli to consider

Miyashige

A reliable white-rooted mooli with long, crisp roots and good flavour in cool UK late-summer conditions.

April Cross

A common fast-maturing daikon type that gives straight roots and is useful where the season is short.

Sakurajima

A large Japanese radish type grown for bigger roots, best given deep, fine soil and enough moisture.

Mooli guides by town

See how Mooli timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.