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When to Plant Radish in Jackson County, MI

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.

Jackson County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,003 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 37.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season.

Jackson County, MI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 108 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~392 GDD — county provides 2,310 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, MI

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19
Harvest May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 3

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 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 5b

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, MI?

Jackson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, MI?

Jackson County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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