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When to Plant Radish in Hendry County, FL

Hendry County, Florida Zone 10a May

Your May game plan for Hendry County, Florida

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost January 14
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.3 hrs

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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.

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 403 feet, Hendry County receives approximately 55.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — 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.

Hendry County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost January 14
91 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Hendry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (229 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 10 🍅 Harvest: Feb 7 – Feb 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (225 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 14 🍅 Harvest: Feb 11 – Mar 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (199 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: Mar 9 – Mar 30

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 Hendry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–5.8) is more acidic than Radish prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Hendry County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Radish will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Radish.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Radish.

How to Plant Radish

0.5"
Planting Depth
2"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 26 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Radish

Radish needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Radish Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 9.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Radish 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.

Radish needs ~477 GDD — county provides 6,113 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — Hendry County, FL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow December 24 Dec 24 – Jan 14
Harvest January 21 Jan 21 – Feb 11
Fall Sowing February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

22–35 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

91 days in Hendry County

Growing Tips for Radish in Hendry County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after January 14 in Hendry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Hendry County dries quickly — mulch Radish with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your generous 365.0-day season in Hendry County allows multiple plantings of Radish. Sow every 11.0 days for continuous harvest.

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

With 56" of annual rainfall in Hendry County, ensure good drainage for Radish — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radish in Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 14. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and first fall frost is .

🌱

Your Hendry County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hendry County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Hendry County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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