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When to Plant Radish in Grant County, KY

Grant County, Kentucky Zone 6b May

Top priorities for Grant County, Kentucky gardeners in May

May is a pivotal month for Grant County, Kentucky gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Collect radish at their peak

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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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.

Grant County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,483 feet, Grant County receives approximately 46.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season.

Grant County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 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.

Soil Compatibility in Grant County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–7.1) overlaps with Radish's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 194-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 21 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Grant 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 ~413 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — Grant County, KY

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

194 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Radish in Grant County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after April 15 in Grant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 194.0-day season in Grant 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 Grant County, KY?

Grant County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, KY?

Grant County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Grant County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Grant 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 Grant County, KY. 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.