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When to Plant Daikon in Wheeler 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.

Wheeler County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,222 feet, Wheeler County receives approximately 54.2 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.

Wheeler County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Wheeler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 18

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Daikon needs ~1,320 GDD — county provides 4,400 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Wheeler County, TX

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 18

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 โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, TX?

Wheeler County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wheeler County, TX?

Wheeler County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

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