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When to Plant Radish in Manatee 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.

Manatee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 326 days.

At an elevation of 237 feet, Manatee County receives approximately 57.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

Manatee County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
326 days
Last Spring Frost January 28
326 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Manatee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (271 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 22 🍅 Harvest: Feb 19 – Mar 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (277 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 28 🍅 Harvest: Feb 25 – Mar 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (250 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Mar 28 – Apr 18

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 757 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~777 GDD — county provides 8,910 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Manatee County, FL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 7 Jan 7 โ€“ Jan 28
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 โ€“ Nov 8
Harvest February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

326 days

Growing Tips for Manatee 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 Manatee County, FL?

Manatee County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of January 28. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Manatee County, FL?

Manatee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and first fall frost is December 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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