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When to Plant Daikon in Milam 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.

Milam County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 61 feet, Milam County receives approximately 65.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Daikon, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Milam County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Milam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – May 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (178 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (180 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16

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 Milam County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“8.3) is more alkaline than Daikon prefers (5.8โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (46% clay) in Milam County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 262-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 12.

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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,978 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Milam County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 13

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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

262 days in Milam County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Milam County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after March 04 in Milam County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Milam County's clay soil (46% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Daikon. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Milam County, TX?

Milam County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Milam County, TX?

Milam County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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