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When to Plant Daikon in Cameron 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.

Cameron County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 4,025 feet, Cameron County receives approximately 58.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, 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.

Cameron County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 4
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 22

Cameron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (249 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 17 🍅 Harvest: Mar 14 – Apr 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (237 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 1 – Apr 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (214 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 27

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 675 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,635 GDD — county provides 8,774 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Cameron County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Feb 4
Fall Sowing October 27 Oct 27 โ€“ Nov 10
Harvest March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 8

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

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 9b

Growing Season

321 days

Growing Tips for Cameron 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 Cameron County, TX?

Cameron County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cameron County, TX?

Cameron County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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