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When to Plant Daikon in Lee 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.

Lee County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 2,513 feet, Lee County receives approximately 52.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daikon root diseases.

Lee County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,360 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Lee County, VA

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 23

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 6b

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Lee 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 Lee County, VA?

Lee County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, VA?

Lee County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Lee County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.