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When to Plant Daikon in Clay 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.

Clay County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 3,266 feet, Clay County receives approximately 64.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Clay County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8

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 Clay County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Clay County is excellent for Daikon โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Daikon.

How to Plant Daikon

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daikon

5
successive plantings in your 235-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,288 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 28
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.8โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

235 days in Clay County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Clay County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after March 21 in Clay County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Clay County, TX?

Clay County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, TX?

Clay County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clay County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Clay County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.