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When to Plant Daikon in Meeker County, MN

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.

Meeker County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 671 feet, Meeker County receives approximately 33.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Meeker County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Meeker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 10

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 165 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~600 GDD — county provides 1,570 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Meeker County, MN

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Jul 18

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 Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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

157 days

Growing Tips for Meeker 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 Meeker County, MN?

Meeker County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Meeker County, MN?

Meeker County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Meeker 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 Meeker County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.