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When to Plant Daikon in Pickens 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.

Pickens County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 442 feet, Pickens County receives approximately 58.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Daikon, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Pickens County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Pickens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Pickens County, AL

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest May 4 May 4 โ€“ Jun 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Pickens 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 Pickens County, AL?

Pickens County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pickens County, AL?

Pickens County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pickens County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Pickens County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.