Blog

When to Plant Daikon in Reeves 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.

Reeves County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 4,504 feet, Reeves County receives approximately 44.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, 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.

Reeves County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Reeves County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 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.

Soil Compatibility in Reeves County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.5โ€“8.8) is more alkaline than Daikon prefers (5.8โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Reeves 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 (0.9%). 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 228-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 01.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 421 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Daikon needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 5,187 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Reeves County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest May 8 May 8 โ€“ Jun 5

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 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

228 days in Reeves County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Reeves County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after March 27 in Reeves County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Reeves 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 97ยฐF in Reeves 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Reeves County, TX?

Reeves County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Reeves County, TX?

Reeves County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Reeves County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Reeves County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.