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When to Plant Radish in Vilas County, WI

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.

Vilas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 543 feet, Vilas County receives approximately 36.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Radish to ensure they mature before fall.

Vilas County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Vilas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Jul 21

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 ~370 GDD — county provides 1,703 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Vilas County, WI

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Jul 21
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Jul 2

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 Direct Sow Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

131 days

Growing Tips for Vilas 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 Vilas County, WI?

Vilas County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Vilas County, WI?

Vilas County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Vilas County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Vilas County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.