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When to Plant Radish in Bannock County, ID

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.

Bannock County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 124 days.

At an elevation of 5,637 feet, Bannock County receives approximately 13.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Radish to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Radish successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Bannock County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
124 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
124 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Bannock County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 6

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.

Soil Compatibility in Bannock County

How your county's soil matches Radish's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“8.1) is more alkaline than Radish prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bannock County is excellent for Radish โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Radish.

How to Plant Radish

0.5"
Planting Depth
2"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Radish

7
successive plantings in your 124-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 16.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 75 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Radish

Radish needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Radish Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 2.2" 0.9" 1.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 1.1" 1.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1" 1.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Bannock County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Radish Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Radish needs ~349 GDD — county provides 1,519 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Bannock County, ID

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 27
Fall Sowing July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

22โ€“35 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

124 days in Bannock County

Growing Tips for Radish in Bannock County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after May 23 in Bannock County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 124.0-day season in Bannock County allows multiple plantings of Radish. Sow every 11.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Radish in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radish in Bannock County, ID?

Bannock County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bannock County, ID?

Bannock County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bannock County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Bannock County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.