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When to Plant Daikon in Marion 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.

Marion County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,252 feet, Marion County receives approximately 36.9 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.

Marion County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17

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 312 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~735 GDD — county provides 2,327 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, MO

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 23

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

190 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, MO?

Marion County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, MO?

Marion County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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