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When to Plant Radish in West Carroll Parish, LA

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

What to do in May

Welcome to May in Zone 8b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 11
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 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.

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 455 feet, West Carroll Parish receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Radish may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

West Carroll Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

West Carroll Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 1 – Apr 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Apr 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – May 27

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 West Carroll Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) overlaps with Radish's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in West Carroll Parish is excellent for Radish — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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

14
successive plantings in your 247-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 04.

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 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in West Carroll Parish). 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 ~627 GDD — county provides 5,434 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — West Carroll Parish, LA

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 18
Harvest March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 – Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow Harvest
April Harvest
May
June
July
August
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

247 days in West Carroll Parish

Growing Tips for Radish in West Carroll Parish

Direct sow Radish outdoors after March 11 in West Carroll Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in West Carroll Parish reach 96°F — grow Radish as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 247.0-day season in West Carroll Parish 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 61" of annual rainfall in West Carroll Parish, 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 West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 13.

🌱

Your West Carroll Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for West Carroll Parish (Zone 8b). 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 West Carroll Parish, LA. 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.