Blog

When to Plant Radish in Socorro 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.

Socorro County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 5,542 feet, Socorro County receives approximately 14.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, 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.

Socorro County, NM (Zone 6b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Socorro County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 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 1,622 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Radish needs ~413 GDD — county provides 2,363 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Socorro County, NM

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 5

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 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 6b

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Socorro 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 Socorro County, NM?

Socorro County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Socorro County, NM?

Socorro County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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