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When to Plant Daikon in Johnson 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.

Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 658 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Johnson County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,349 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,407 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, NE

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 3

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 5b

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, NE?

Johnson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, NE?

Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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