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When to Plant Radish in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 122 days.

At an elevation of 5,094 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 18 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Radish successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Jefferson County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
122 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
122 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 496 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~435 GDD — county provides 1,860 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, ID

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jun 26

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

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 5a

Growing Season

122 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, ID?

Jefferson County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, ID?

Jefferson County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is September 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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