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When to Plant Radish in Stark County, IL

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.

Stark County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,071 feet, Stark County receives approximately 33.7 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.

Stark County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Stark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Radish

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

Month Radish Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Stark County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Stark County, IL

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

22โ€“35 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

174 days in Stark County

Growing Tips for Stark 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Radish in Stark County, IL?

Stark County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stark County, IL?

Stark County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stark County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Stark County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.