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When to Plant Daikon in Wheeler County, OR

Wheeler County, Oregon Zone 7a July

July to-do list for Wheeler County, Oregon

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

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 23
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.1 hrs
  1. Start harvesting daikon

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

  2. Kick off the fall garden with daikon

    Mid-season soil is hot. Sow a bit deeper than the packet suggests to find cooler, damper ground.

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: daikon

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Daikon is a large, mild Japanese radish that can grow over a foot long. It is excellent for pickling, stir-fries, and as a soil-breaking cover crop.

Wheeler County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 2,175 feet, Wheeler County receives approximately 22.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Wheeler County, OR (Zone 7a) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Wheeler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Daikon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Sep 11

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 Wheeler County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.3) is more acidic than Daikon prefers (5.8–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) — Daikon will thrive.

How to Plant Daikon

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

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

Succession Planting Daikon

2
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 15 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 15.

Daikon Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 242 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Daikon

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

Month Daikon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Daikon 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.

Daikon needs ~735 GDD — county provides 1,506 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline — Wheeler County, OR

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 1
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 – Jul 29

Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.8–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Wheeler County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Wheeler County

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after May 23 in Wheeler County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Wheeler County receives only 23" of rain annually. Daikon needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest. Loosen soil deeply before planting. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. Harvest before hard freeze as exposed shoulders may crack.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Hyssop

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Wheeler County, OR?

Wheeler County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wheeler County, OR?

Wheeler County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 23.

🌱

Your Wheeler County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wheeler County (Zone 7a). 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 Wheeler County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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