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When to Plant Daikon in Baker County, OR

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.

Baker County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 105 days.

At an elevation of 1,398 feet, Baker County receives approximately 16.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Daikon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Baker County, OR (Zone 5b) Short season
105 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
105 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Baker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Sep 11

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.

Soil Compatibility in Baker County

How your county's soil matches Daikon's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.5) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Baker County is excellent for Daikon โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Daikon.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) โ€” Daikon will thrive.

How to Plant Daikon

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daikon

2
successive plantings in your 105-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 04 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 04.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 583 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Daikon

Daikon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Daikon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.3" 4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Baker County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Daikon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Daikon needs ~870 GDD — county provides 1,522 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Baker County, OR

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Aug 8
Fall Sowing July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.8โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

105 days in Baker County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Baker County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after May 30 in Baker County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Daikon in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Baker County receives only 17" of rain annually. Daikon needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Baker County, OR?

Baker County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 30. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baker County, OR?

Baker County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and first fall frost is September 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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