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When to Plant Daikon in Barron County, WI

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.

Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 1,256 feet, Barron County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Barron County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Barron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 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.

Soil Compatibility in Barron County

How your county's soil matches Daikon's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“7.0) is within Daikon's preferred range (5.8โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Barron County is excellent for Daikon โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) โ€” Daikon will thrive.

How to Plant Daikon

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daikon

3
successive plantings in your 131-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 03.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Daikon

Daikon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Daikon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Barron County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Daikon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Daikon needs ~735 GDD — county provides 1,604 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Barron County, WI

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 2
Fall Sowing July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Jul 17

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.8โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

131 days in Barron County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Barron County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after May 17 in Barron County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Daikon in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Barron County, WI?

Barron County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barron County, WI?

Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Barron County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Barron County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.