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When to Plant Radish in Cass County, IA

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.

Cass County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 1,043 feet, Cass County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season.

Cass County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jun 30

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 Cass County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“6.7) is within Radish's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) โ€” Radish will thrive.

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

9
successive plantings in your 167-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 04 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 31.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~413 GDD — county provides 2,421 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, IA

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Aug 14
Harvest May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30

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 Direct Sow Harvest
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August Fall Sowing
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 Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

22โ€“35 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

167 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Radish in Cass County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after April 25 in Cass County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 167.0-day season in Cass 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radish in Cass County, IA?

Cass County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, IA?

Cass County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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