When to Plant Radish in Bon Homme County, SD
Top priorities for Bon Homme County, South Dakota gardeners in April
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this April, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Seed radish outdoors
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
May will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: radish
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.
Bon Homme County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.
At an elevation of 771 feet, Bon Homme County receives approximately 28.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Radish to ensure they mature before fall.
Bon Homme County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Bon Homme County
How your county's soil matches Radish's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.4) overlaps with Radish's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Bon Homme County is excellent for Radish — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Radish will thrive.
How to Plant Radish
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Radish
Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 14.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 1.8" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Bon Homme 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 Planting Timeline — Bon Homme County, SD
Radish Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Harvest | May 15 | May 15 – Jun 5 |
| Fall Sowing | July 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 2" apart · Rows 6" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| 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 5a
📆 Growing Season
158 days in Bon Homme County
Growing Tips for Radish in Bon Homme County
Direct sow Radish outdoors after May 01 in Bon Homme County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 158.0-day season in Bon Homme 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Radish in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Radish in Bon Homme County, SD?
Bon Homme County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bon Homme County, SD?
Bon Homme County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Bon Homme County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bon Homme County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.