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When to Plant Daikon in Hanover 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.

Hanover County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 893 feet, Hanover County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Hanover County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Hanover County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,140 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Hanover County, VA

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 15

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 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 7a

Growing Season

210 days

Growing Tips for Hanover 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 Hanover County, VA?

Hanover County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hanover County, VA?

Hanover County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hanover County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Hanover County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.