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When to Plant Daikon in Loudoun 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.

Loudoun County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 857 feet, Loudoun County receives approximately 45.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Loudoun County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Loudoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 2

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 ~1,230 GDD — county provides 3,772 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Loudoun County, VA

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 27

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 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

184 days

Growing Tips for Loudoun 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 Loudoun County, VA?

Loudoun County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Loudoun County, VA?

Loudoun County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Loudoun 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 Loudoun County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.