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When to Plant Daikon in Chippewa 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.

Chippewa County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 916 feet, Chippewa 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.

Chippewa County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Chippewa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 18

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 Chippewa County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“6.7) is within Daikon's preferred range (5.8โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Daikon.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) 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 136-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 06.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 63 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€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Chippewa 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 1,666 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Chippewa County, WI

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Jul 31
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20

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 โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

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

136 days in Chippewa County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Chippewa County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after May 15 in Chippewa 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 Chippewa County, WI?

Chippewa County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chippewa County, WI?

Chippewa County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chippewa County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Chippewa County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.