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When to Plant Daikon in Ellis 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.

Ellis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 167 feet, Ellis County receives approximately 56.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Daikon, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Ellis County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Ellis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – May 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 218 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Daikon needs ~1,185 GDD — county provides 5,056 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Ellis County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
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

256 days

Growing Tips for Ellis 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 Ellis County, TX?

Ellis County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ellis County, TX?

Ellis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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