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When to Plant Daikon in Polk 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.

Polk County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 264 days.

At an elevation of 292 feet, Polk County receives approximately 63 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Polk County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
264 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
264 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Polk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (180 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (175 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 20

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 700 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,320 GDD — county provides 5,808 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Polk County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Sep 28
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

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

264 days

Growing Tips for Polk 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 Polk County, TX?

Polk County is in Zone 8b 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 Polk County, TX?

Polk County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Polk County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Polk County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.