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When to Plant Daikon in Cole 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.

Cole County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 614 feet, Cole County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Cole County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Cole County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,264 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Cole County, MO

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 16

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 Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

204 days

Growing Tips for Cole 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 Cole County, MO?

Cole County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cole County, MO?

Cole County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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