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When to Plant Daikon in Malheur 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.

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 2,676 feet, Malheur County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Malheur County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Malheur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 896 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 2,345 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Malheur County, OR

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Aug 4
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Jul 27

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 Harvest
July Fall Sowing 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 6a

Growing Season

134 days

Growing Tips for Malheur 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 Malheur County, OR?

Malheur County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Malheur County, OR?

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Malheur County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Malheur County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.