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When to Plant Radish in Island County, WA

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.

Island County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 9 feet, Island County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season.

Island County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Island County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – May 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jun 18

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 239 gal / 100 sq ft
Radish needs ~392 GDD — county provides 2,997 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Island County, WA

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

218 days

Growing Tips for Island 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 Island County, WA?

Island County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Island County, WA?

Island County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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