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When to Plant Daikon in Marquette County, MI

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.

Marquette County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 564 feet, Marquette County receives approximately 36.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Marquette County, MI (Zone 4a) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Marquette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 104 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~645 GDD — county provides 1,752 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Marquette County, MI

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Aug 11
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Marquette 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 Marquette County, MI?

Marquette County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marquette County, MI?

Marquette County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marquette County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Marquette County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.