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When to Plant Daikon in Buchanan County, MO

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.

Buchanan County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,340 feet, Buchanan County receives approximately 31.4 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.

Buchanan County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Buchanan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 663 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~735 GDD — county provides 2,376 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Buchanan County, MO

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
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

194 days

Growing Tips for Buchanan 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 Buchanan County, MO?

Buchanan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Buchanan County, MO?

Buchanan County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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