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When to Plant Daikon in Marion County, OH

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.

Marion County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 733 feet, Marion County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Marion County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 4

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 365 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,699 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, OH

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 5

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 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

177 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, OH?

Marion County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, OH?

Marion County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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