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When to Plant Radish in Waldo County, ME

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.

Waldo County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 966 feet, Waldo County receives approximately 46 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.

Waldo County, ME (Zone 5a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Waldo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 9

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~370 GDD — county provides 1,963 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Waldo County, ME

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Aug 11
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 12

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 Harvest
July Fall Sowing
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

151 days

Growing Tips for Waldo 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 Waldo County, ME?

Waldo County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waldo County, ME?

Waldo County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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