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When to Plant Daikon in Onslow County, NC

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.

Onslow County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 541 feet, Onslow County receives approximately 46.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Daikon, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Onslow County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 18

Onslow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 1

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 404 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 4,235 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Onslow County, NC

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 28
Fall Sowing September 9 Sep 9 โ€“ Sep 23
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

242 days

Growing Tips for Onslow 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 Onslow County, NC?

Onslow County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Onslow County, NC?

Onslow County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Onslow County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Onslow County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.