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When to Plant Daikon in Saline 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.

Saline County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. 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 1,385 feet, Saline County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Saline County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Saline County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 22

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,104 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Saline 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 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Saline 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 Saline County, MO?

Saline County is in Zone 6a 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 Saline County, MO?

Saline County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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