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When to Plant Daikon in Swift 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.

Swift County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 1,212 feet, Swift County receives approximately 35.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

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

Swift County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 7

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 474 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~735 GDD — county provides 1,898 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Swift County, MN

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Jul 26
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

155 days

Growing Tips for Swift 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 Swift County, MN?

Swift 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 Swift County, MN?

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

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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