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When to Plant Daikon in Jones 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.

Jones County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 2,973 feet, Jones County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Jones County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Jones County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18
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 Jones County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.1) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help 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 230-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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 285 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Daikon

Daikon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Daikon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 7.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 7.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Jones County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Daikon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Daikon needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 4,715 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Jones County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jun 4
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16

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 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 Only during dry spells

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

230 days in Jones County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Jones County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after March 26 in Jones 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Jones County, TX?

Jones County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jones County, TX?

Jones County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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