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When to Plant Daikon in Garfield 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.

Garfield County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 587 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 26.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Garfield County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Garfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 9

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
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 518 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~735 GDD — county provides 1,947 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Garfield County, NE

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Jul 16

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 โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Garfield 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 Garfield County, NE?

Garfield County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garfield County, NE?

Garfield County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Garfield County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Garfield County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.