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When to Plant Radish in Clay 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.

Clay County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 1,220 feet, Clay County receives approximately 35.3 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.

Clay County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
142 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Clay 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 (96 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 11

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~285 GDD — county provides 1,420 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, MN

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 22

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

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 3b

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Clay 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 Clay County, MN?

Clay County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, MN?

Clay County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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