Blog

When to Plant Daikon in Wise 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.

Wise County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,328 feet, Wise County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Wise County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Wise County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 24

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 160 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,540 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Wise County, VA

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 21

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

194 days

Growing Tips for Wise 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 Wise County, VA?

Wise County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wise County, VA?

Wise County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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