Blog

When to Plant Radish in Monroe 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.

Monroe County, Florida is in USDA Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 22 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 169 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 55.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season. 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.

Monroe County, FL (Zone 11a) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost January 22
83 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (222 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 17 🍅 Harvest: Feb 14 – Mar 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (217 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 22 🍅 Harvest: Feb 19 – Mar 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – May 4

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 2,145 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~563 GDD — county provides 7,208 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, FL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 1 Jan 1 โ€“ Jan 22
Fall Sowing February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Harvest January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow Harvest
February Fall Sowing Harvest
March Fall Sowing
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
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 11a

Growing Season

83 days

Growing Tips for Monroe 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 Monroe County, FL?

Monroe County is in Zone 11a with an average last frost of January 22. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, FL?

Monroe County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 22 and first fall frost is .

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Monroe County gardeners in Zone 11a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Monroe County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.