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When to Plant Daikon in Logan 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.

Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 854 feet, Logan County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Logan County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 14

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 Logan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“7.2) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Daikon.

How to Plant Daikon

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daikon

3
successive plantings in your 142-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 10.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 139 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Daikon

Daikon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Daikon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Logan County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Daikon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Daikon needs ~690 GDD — county provides 1,633 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Logan County, NE

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Jul 29
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.8โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

142 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Logan County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after May 13 in Logan 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.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Logan County, NE?

Logan County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, NE?

Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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