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When to Plant Radish in Russell 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.

Russell County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 81 feet, Russell County receives approximately 50.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Russell County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Russell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – May 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (175 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 5

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 180 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~627 GDD — county provides 5,148 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Russell County, AL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 28
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
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

234 days

Growing Tips for Russell 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 Russell County, AL?

Russell County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Russell County, AL?

Russell County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Russell 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 Russell County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.