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When to Plant Daikon in Menard 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.

Menard County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 2,779 feet, Menard County receives approximately 56.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Menard County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Menard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,069 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Menard County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jun 9

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 8a

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Menard 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 Menard County, TX?

Menard County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Menard County, TX?

Menard County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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