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When to Plant Daikon in Baldwin County, AL

Daikon is a large, mild Japanese radish that can grow over a foot long. It is excellent for pickling, stir-fries, and as a soil-breaking cover crop.

Baldwin County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 336 feet, Baldwin County receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Daikon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Daikon will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Baldwin County, AL (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 24

Baldwin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – May 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 12

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,275 GDD — county provides 5,652 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Baldwin County, AL

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 10
Fall Sowing September 15 Sep 15 โ€“ Sep 29
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 12

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

5.8 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

266 days

Growing Tips for Baldwin County

Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest. Loosen soil deeply before planting. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. Harvest before hard freeze as exposed shoulders may crack.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Hyssop

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Baldwin County, AL?

Baldwin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baldwin County, AL?

Baldwin County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Baldwin County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Baldwin County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.