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When to Plant Radish in Sierra 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.

Sierra County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 4,898 feet, Sierra County receives approximately 17.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, 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.

Sierra County, NM (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Sierra County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 22

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 1,913 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Radish needs ~456 GDD — county provides 3,104 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Sierra County, NM

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20

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 Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Sierra 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 Sierra County, NM?

Sierra County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sierra County, NM?

Sierra County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sierra County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sierra County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.