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When to Plant Daikon in Sullivan County, TN

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.

Sullivan County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 3,986 feet, Sullivan County receives approximately 46.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Sullivan County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Sullivan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3

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 ~870 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Sullivan County, TN

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 2

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 โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Sullivan 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 Sullivan County, TN?

Sullivan County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sullivan County, TN?

Sullivan County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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