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When to Plant Radish in Cass County, MN

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, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 938 feet, Cass County receives approximately 32.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Radish to ensure they mature before fall.

Cass County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 15

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 (5.9โ€“6.9) overlaps with Radish's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

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 (4.6%) โ€” Radish will thrive.

How to Plant Radish

0.5"
Planting Depth
2"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Radish

7
successive plantings in your 139-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 06.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Radish

Radish needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Radish Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Cass County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Radish Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Radish needs ~285 GDD — county provides 1,390 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, MN

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 23
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20

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

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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

139 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Radish in Cass County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after May 12 in Cass County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 139.0-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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radish in Cass County, MN?

Cass County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, MN?

Cass County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cass County gardeners in Zone 3b 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, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.