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When to Plant Daikon in Gaines 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.

Gaines County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 3,384 feet, Gaines County receives approximately 43.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Daikon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Daikon will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Gaines County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
214 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Gaines County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 13

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 325 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Daikon needs ~1,500 GDD — county provides 5,350 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Gaines County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

214 days

Growing Tips for Gaines 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 Gaines County, TX?

Gaines County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gaines County, TX?

Gaines County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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