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When to Plant Daikon in Brooks County, TX

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.

Brooks County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 10 and the first fall frost is December 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 306 days.

At an elevation of 2,752 feet, Brooks County receives approximately 64.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 104ยฐF, so Daikon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Brooks County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
306 days
Last Spring Frost February 10
306 growing days
First Fall Frost December 13

Brooks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (235 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 16 – Apr 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (222 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – May 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (208 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – May 29

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 Brooks County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.2) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Brooks 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 moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Daikon.

How to Plant Daikon

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daikon

7
successive plantings in your 306-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 18.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,141 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,680 GDD — county provides 8,596 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Brooks County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 20 Jan 20 โ€“ Feb 10
Fall Sowing October 18 Oct 18 โ€“ Nov 1
Harvest March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow
February Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
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 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

306 days in Brooks County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Brooks County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after February 10 in Brooks County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 104ยฐF in Brooks County, provide afternoon shade for Daikon and water deeply in the morning.

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

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Brooks County, TX?

Brooks County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 10. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brooks County, TX?

Brooks County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 10 and first fall frost is December 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brooks County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Brooks County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.