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When to Plant Daikon in Cuming County, NE

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.

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Cuming County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Cuming County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cuming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Jul 31

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cuming County

How your county's soil matches Daikon's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cuming County is excellent for Daikon โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Daikon.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Daikon.

How to Plant Daikon

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daikon

4
successive plantings in your 172-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,198 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Cuming County, NE

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.8โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

172 days in Cuming County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Cuming County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after April 22 in Cuming County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Daikon in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Cuming County receives only 21" of rain annually. Daikon needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cuming County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Cuming County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.