Blog

When to Plant Daikon in Portage 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.

Portage County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 1,164 feet, Portage County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Portage County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Portage County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,227 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Portage County, OH

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 13

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

162 days

Growing Tips for Portage 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 Portage County, OH?

Portage County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Portage County, OH?

Portage County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Portage County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Portage County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.