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When to Plant Daikon in USDA Zone 6a

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.

In Zone 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

Zone 6a Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Daikon Planting Timeline — Zone 6a

Where Is USDA Zone 6a?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Daikon planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Daikon Planting Calendar — Zone 6a

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest May 22 May 22 – Jun 19
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

50–70 days

Soil pH

5.8 – 7

Zone Temperature Range

-10°F to -5°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

193 days (Zone 6a average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth0.5 inches
Plant Spacing6 inches apart
Row Spacing12 inches between rows

Succession Planting Daikon in Zone 6a

4
successive plantings in Zone 6a's ~193-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.

Growing Tips for Daikon in Zone 6a

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

Saving Daikon Seeds

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Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

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Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

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Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Zone 6a?

In Zone 6a, plan your Daikon planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Direct sow outdoors around March 27.

Can Daikon grow in Zone 6a?

Yes, Daikon can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Daikon (50-70 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Daikon in Zone 6a?

In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Daikon from May 22 – June 19. Daikon takes 50-70 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.

What should I plant next to Daikon?

Good companion plants for Daikon include Carrots, Lettuce, Peas. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — organize your planting dates for Zone 6a, track your crops, and plan your garden season from seed to harvest.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.