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When to Plant Daikon in Nolan 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.

Nolan County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 3,997 feet, Nolan County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Daikon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Nolan County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Nolan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (146 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 Nolan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2โ€“8.3) is more alkaline than Daikon prefers (5.8โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Nolan 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 (1.1%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 236-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 06.

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 296 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 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€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 11.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Nolan 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 ~1,545 GDD — county provides 6,077 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Nolan County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jun 2
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

236 days in Nolan County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Nolan County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after March 24 in Nolan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Nolan 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.

With summer highs reaching 101ยฐF in Nolan County, provide afternoon shade for Daikon and water deeply in the morning.

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 Nolan County, TX?

Nolan County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nolan County, TX?

Nolan County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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