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When to Plant Radish in Smyth County, VA

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.

Smyth County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 375 feet, Smyth County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

Smyth County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Smyth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 7

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~413 GDD — county provides 2,363 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Smyth County, VA

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6

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 Smyth 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 Smyth County, VA?

Smyth County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Smyth County, VA?

Smyth County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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