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When to Plant Radish in Madison County, MS

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.

Madison County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 248 feet, Madison County receives approximately 56.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Radish may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Radish, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

Madison County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (191 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – Apr 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (194 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – May 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (184 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – May 27

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
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 52 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~648 GDD — county provides 5,528 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, MS

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 2" apart ยท Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radish in Madison County, MS?

Madison County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, MS?

Madison County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Madison County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Madison County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.