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When to Plant Daikon in Racine 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.

Racine County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 513 feet, Racine County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Racine County, WI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Racine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 4

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 73 gal / 100 sq ft
Daikon needs ~780 GDD — county provides 2,236 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Racine County, WI

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 3

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 Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Racine 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 Racine County, WI?

Racine County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Racine County, WI?

Racine County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Racine County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Racine County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.