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When to plant Radish in Lawrence County, IL

Lawrence County gardeners should plant Radish between March 30 and April 20 in spring. With Lawrence County's Zone 6b climate (last frost April 13), Radish needs 22–35 days to mature — plant by September 22 for a full harvest. A second sowing from August 18 to September 1 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Radish in Lawrence County, IL

Lawrence County, Illinois Zone 6b July

This month in Lawrence County, Illinois

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

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
Looking ahead to August
  • Fall sowing: radish

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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.

Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 969 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 35.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season.

Lawrence County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Radish Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – May 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 15

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 Lawrence County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.3) overlaps with Radish's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Radish.

How to Plant Radish

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

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

Succession Planting Radish

11
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.

Radish Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lawrence 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 ~456 GDD — county provides 3,152 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — Lawrence County, IL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 – May 18
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

22–35 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Lawrence County

Growing Tips for Radish in Lawrence County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after April 13 in Lawrence County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 197.0-day season in Lawrence 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.

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 Lawrence County, IL?

Lawrence County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, IL?

Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 27.

When should I plant Radish in Lawrence County, IL?

In Lawrence County, IL, plant Radish after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lawrence County, IL for Radish?

Lawrence County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Radish grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Radish grow in Lawrence County's climate?

Yes — Radish grows well in Lawrence County's temperate climate. Lawrence County averages a 197-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lawrence County (Zone 6b). 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 Lawrence County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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