Blog

When to Plant Daikon in Carroll County, VA

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.

Carroll County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 883 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 43.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Carroll County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 11

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
Daikon needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,066 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Carroll County, VA

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 10

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 Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Carroll 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 Carroll County, VA?

Carroll County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, VA?

Carroll County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carroll County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Carroll County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.