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When to Plant Daikon in Polk 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.

Polk County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 331 feet, Polk County receives approximately 54.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Polk County, OR (Zone 8a) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Polk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25

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
Daikon needs ~645 GDD — county provides 2,193 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Polk County, OR

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 19

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

204 days

Growing Tips for Polk 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 Polk County, OR?

Polk County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Polk County, OR?

Polk County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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