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When to Plant Radish in McKean County, PA

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.

McKean County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 991 feet, McKean County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season.

McKean County, PA (Zone 5a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
139 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

McKean County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Jul 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~392 GDD — county provides 1,911 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” McKean County, PA

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Aug 9
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 22

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 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 5a

Growing Season

139 days

Growing Tips for McKean 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 McKean County, PA?

McKean County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McKean County, PA?

McKean County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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