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When to Plant Radish in Rio Arriba County, NM

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.

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 96 days.

At an elevation of 5,979 feet, Rio Arriba County receives approximately 17.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Radish to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Radish will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Radish successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Rio Arriba County, NM (Zone 5b) Very short season
96 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
96 growing days
First Fall Frost September 17

Rio Arriba County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 12

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 552 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~370 GDD — county provides 1,248 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Rio Arriba County, NM

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 20
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Jul 18

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 Direct Sow Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

96 days

Growing Tips for Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County, NM?

Rio Arriba County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rio Arriba County, NM?

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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