Blog

When to plant Daikon in Lee County, AR

Lee County's climate puts the Daikon spring window between March 5 and March 26. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from August 31 to September 14 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Daikon in Lee County, AR

Lee County, Arkansas Zone 8a July

July in the garden — Lee County, Arkansas

Your garden in Lee County, Arkansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this July.

Avg. last frost March 19
Avg. first frost November 9
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
Get ahead of August
  • Fall sowing: daikon

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Daikon is a large, mild Japanese radish that can grow over a foot long. It is excellent for pickling, stir-fries, and as a soil-breaking cover crop.

Lee County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 1,408 feet, Lee County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season.

Lee County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Daikon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2

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.

Soil Compatibility in Lee County

How your county's soil matches Daikon's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.8) overlaps with Daikon's range (5.8–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lee County is excellent for Daikon — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Daikon.

How to Plant Daikon

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daikon

5
successive plantings in your 235-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 31 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 31.

Daikon Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 338 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Daikon

Daikon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Daikon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Daikon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Daikon needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,760 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline — Lee County, AR

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 26
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 – May 28
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 – Sep 14

Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.8–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

235 days in Lee County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Lee County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after March 19 in Lee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Daikon in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest. Loosen soil deeply before planting. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. Harvest before hard freeze as exposed shoulders may crack.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Hyssop

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Lee County, AR?

Lee County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, AR?

Lee County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 9.

When should I plant Daikon in Lee County, AR?

In Lee County, AR, plant Daikon after the last frost (around March 19) and before the first frost (around November 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lee County, AR for Daikon?

Lee County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Daikon grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Daikon grow in Lee County's climate?

Yes — Daikon grows well in Lee County's temperate climate. Lee County averages a 235-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 19 and first frost around November 9.

🌱

Your Lee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lee County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lee County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.