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When to Plant Radish in Marshall County, IL

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.

Marshall County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,177 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 30.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Radish to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jun 27

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 1-2 times/week
Season total 505 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~370 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, IL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

175 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, IL?

Marshall County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, IL?

Marshall County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall 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 Marshall County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.