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When to Plant Radish in Colfax County, NE

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.

Colfax County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 525 feet, Colfax County receives approximately 25 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Radish to ensure they mature before fall.

Colfax County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Colfax County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jun 26

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,267 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~370 GDD — county provides 2,236 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Colfax County, NE

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27

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 Harvest
June โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Colfax 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 Colfax County, NE?

Colfax County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Colfax County, NE?

Colfax County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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