Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Daikon vs. Eggplant
The comparison
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Annual | Annual |
| Germination time | 7–10 days | 8–12 days |
| Germination temperature | Not yet verified | 21–32 °C70–90 °F |
| Sowing depth | 6 mm–1.5 cm¼–½ in | 1.5 cm½ in |
| Spacing between plants | 10–15 cm4–6 in | 61 cm2 ft |
| Days to maturity | Not yet verified | 100–120 days from sowing |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate | Moderate |
| Containers | Not yet verified | Yes |
| Frost tolerance | Not yet verified | Tender (no frost) |
| Soil pH | Not yet verified | pH 5.5–6.8 |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
VegetablesRaphanus sativus var. longipinnatus
Daikon is a large, long-rooted radish grown from seed sown directly in the garden in cool weather. It needs deep, loose soil, steady moisture, and is too big for most containers.
How to grow daikonVegetablesSolanum melongena
Eggplant is a warm-season annual that needs full sun, warm weather and a long season, so many gardeners start with transplants.
How to grow eggplantKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Daikon vs. Eggplant vs. Acorn SquashAdd acorn squash as a third
Daikon vs. Eggplant vs. Armenian CucumberAdd armenian cucumber as a third
Daikon vs. Eggplant vs. ArtichokeAdd artichoke as a thirdDaikon vs. Acorn SquashDaikon against another vegetableEggplant vs. Acorn SquashEggplant against another vegetableDaikon vs. Armenian CucumberDaikon against another vegetableThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
