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When to Plant Radish in Lincoln County, TN

Lincoln County, Tennessee Zone 7b May

May in the garden — Lincoln County, Tennessee

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Lincoln County, Tennessee this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Basket week: radish

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

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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.

Lincoln County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 3,458 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

Lincoln County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – May 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – May 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 10

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 Lincoln County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) is more acidic than Radish prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). 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 200-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
1.1″/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 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lincoln 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 ~563 GDD — county provides 3,950 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, TN

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 – May 14
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 Direct Sow
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Lincoln County

Growing Tips for Radish in Lincoln County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after April 09 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Lincoln County reach 93°F — grow Radish as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 200.0-day season in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, TN?

Lincoln County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, TN?

Lincoln County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln County (Zone 7b). 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 Lincoln County, TN. 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.