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When to Plant Daikon in Henderson 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.

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 290 feet, Henderson County receives approximately 72.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Henderson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Henderson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18

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 Henderson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.6) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Henderson County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Daikon will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.7%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 252-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 07.

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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,788 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Henderson County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
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

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 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

252 days in Henderson County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Henderson County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after March 09 in Henderson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Henderson County dries quickly โ€” mulch Daikon with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Henderson County, TX?

Henderson 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 Henderson County, TX?

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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