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When to Plant Daikon in Pitt 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.

Pitt County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 542 feet, Pitt County receives approximately 46.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Pitt County, NC (Zone 7b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Pitt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 378 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Pitt County, NC

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jun 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Pitt 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 Pitt County, NC?

Pitt County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pitt County, NC?

Pitt County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pitt County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Pitt County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.