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When to Plant Radish in Gray County, TX

Gray County, Texas Zone 7a May

May to-do list for Gray County, Texas

Here's what deserves your attention in Gray County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Collect radish at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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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.

Gray County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 2,319 feet, Gray County receives approximately 46.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°F, so Radish may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Radish will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Gray County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27
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Gray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – May 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – May 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 14

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 Gray County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4–8.9) is more alkaline than Radish prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Gray County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Radish will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 18.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Gray 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 ~670 GDD — county provides 4,700 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — Gray County, TX

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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 Fall Sowing
October
November
December
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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_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Gray County

Growing Tips for Radish in Gray County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after April 10 in Gray County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Gray County dries quickly — mulch Radish with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Gray County reach 98°F — grow Radish as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 200.0-day season in Gray 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 Gray County, TX?

Gray County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gray County, TX?

Gray County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Your Gray County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Gray 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 Gray County, TX. 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.