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When to Plant Radish in Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.

At an elevation of 4,073 feet, Santa Fe County receives approximately 13 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season. 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.

Santa Fe County, NM (Zone 6a) Moderate season
150 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
150 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Santa Fe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 14

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
0.4″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,499 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~477 GDD — county provides 2,512 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Santa Fe County, NM

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 14

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 Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

150 days

Growing Tips for Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe County, NM?

Santa Fe County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Santa Fe County, NM?

Santa Fe County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Santa Fe County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Santa Fe County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.