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When to Plant Radish in Alachua County, FL

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.

Alachua County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 398 feet, Alachua County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Radish may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Radish will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Alachua County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 23
277 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

Alachua County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (229 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Mar 14 – Apr 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (228 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Mar 23 – Apr 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (222 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 21 – May 12

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,617 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Radish needs ~691 GDD — county provides 6,741 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Alachua County, FL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 23
Fall Sowing October 2 Oct 2 โ€“ Oct 16
Harvest March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Harvest
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

277 days

Growing Tips for Alachua 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 Alachua County, FL?

Alachua County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 23. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Alachua County, FL?

Alachua County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 23 and first fall frost is November 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Alachua County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Alachua County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.