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When to Plant Daikon in Wayne County, UT

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.

Wayne County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 7,565 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 22.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Wayne County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Aug 30

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 Wayne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.8) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Wayne County is excellent for Daikon โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 141-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 483 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€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Wayne 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 ~870 GDD — county provides 2,044 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, UT

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Jul 23
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.8โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

141 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Wayne County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after May 14 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Daikon in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Wayne County receives only 23" of rain annually. Daikon needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Wayne County, UT?

Wayne County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, UT?

Wayne County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Wayne County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.