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When to Plant Daikon in Robeson 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.

Robeson County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 887 feet, Robeson County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Daikon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Daikon, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Robeson County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Robeson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 195 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Robeson County, NC

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jun 2

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 Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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

227 days

Growing Tips for Robeson 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 Robeson County, NC?

Robeson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Robeson County, NC?

Robeson County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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