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When to Plant Daikon in Carter 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.

Carter County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,335 feet, Carter County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Carter County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Carter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 16

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 337 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,200 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Carter County, MO

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 18

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 6b

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Carter 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 Carter County, MO?

Carter County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carter County, MO?

Carter County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carter County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Carter County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.