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When to Plant Daikon in Madison 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.

Madison County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 122 feet, Madison County receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Madison County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – May 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (165 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 198 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,745 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 14

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 8b

Growing Season

260 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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 Madison County, TX?

Madison County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, TX?

Madison County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

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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 Madison County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.