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When to Plant Daikon in Frontier 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.

Frontier County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 1,066 feet, Frontier County receives approximately 34.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Frontier County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Frontier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 6

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 628 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Daikon needs ~780 GDD — county provides 2,041 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Frontier County, NE

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Aug 11
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jul 11

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 Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Frontier 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 Frontier County, NE?

Frontier County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frontier County, NE?

Frontier County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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