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When to Plant Radish in Willacy County, TX

Willacy County, Texas Zone 10a May

This month in Willacy County, Texas

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Willacy County, Texas.

Avg. last frost February 4
Avg. first frost December 22
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.3 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.

Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 1,085 feet, Willacy County receives approximately 65.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102°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.

Willacy County, TX (Zone 10a) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 4
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 22
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Willacy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (284 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 17 🍅 Harvest: Feb 14 – Mar 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (272 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 4 🍅 Harvest: Mar 4 – Mar 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (249 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 1 – Apr 22

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 Willacy County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.3) overlaps with Radish's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Radish.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Radish.

How to Plant Radish

0.5"
Planting Depth
2"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Radish

18
successive plantings in your 321-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Nov 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 27.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 9.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Willacy 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 ~755 GDD — county provides 8,533 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — Willacy County, TX

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 14 Jan 14 – Feb 4
Harvest February 11 Feb 11 – Mar 4
Fall Sowing October 27 Oct 27 – Nov 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

321 days in Willacy County

Growing Tips for Radish in Willacy County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after February 04 in Willacy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Willacy County reach 102°F — grow Radish as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 322.0-day season in Willacy 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.

With 66" of annual rainfall in Willacy County, 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 Willacy County, TX?

Willacy County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Willacy County, TX?

Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 22.

🌱

Your Willacy County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Willacy County (Zone 10a). 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 Willacy 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.