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When to Plant Daikon in Mitchell County, KS

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.

Mitchell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 627 feet, Mitchell County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Mitchell County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Mitchell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23

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
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 437 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Daikon needs ~780 GDD — county provides 2,405 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Mitchell County, KS

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Mitchell 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 Mitchell County, KS?

Mitchell County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mitchell County, KS?

Mitchell County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mitchell County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Mitchell County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.