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When to Plant Radish in Smith County, TX

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.

Smith County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 179 feet, Smith County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Radish may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

Smith County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Smith County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (208 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Mar 28 – Apr 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (203 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Apr 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – May 17

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 19 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~627 GDD — county provides 5,544 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Smith County, TX

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 2" apart ยท Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

252 days

Growing Tips for Smith 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 Smith County, TX?

Smith County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Smith County, TX?

Smith County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Smith County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Smith County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.