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When to Plant Radish in Pike County, AL

Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, with some varieties ready in under a month. They come in round, elongated, and large winter types.

Pike County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 90 feet, Pike County receives approximately 61.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Radish may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Radish, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

Pike County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Pike County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – Apr 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (197 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Apr 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (194 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – May 20

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~606 GDD — county provides 5,227 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Pike County, AL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 2" apart ยท Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

22โ€“35 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

246 days

Growing Tips for Pike County

Direct sow every 1-2 weeks for continuous harvest. Do not transplant. Harvest spring radishes promptly to prevent them from becoming pithy and hot.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Hyssop

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radish in Pike County, AL?

Pike County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pike County, AL?

Pike County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pike County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Pike County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.