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When to Plant Daikon in Columbia 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.

Columbia County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 396 feet, Columbia County receives approximately 46.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Columbia County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Columbia County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 20 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,722 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Columbia County, OR

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 23

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 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

198 days

Growing Tips for Columbia 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 Columbia County, OR?

Columbia County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Columbia County, OR?

Columbia County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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