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When to Plant Daikon in Delta, UT

Millard County, Utah Zone 6a July

Your July game plan for Millard County, Utah

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

Avg. last frost May 16
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for 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

    A row cover ready in the garage extends your harvest by weeks once the nights turn cold.

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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.

Delta, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 6,525 feet, Millard County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Daikon to ensure they mature before fall.

Delta, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Delta Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Daikon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 1

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 Delta

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) is more alkaline than Daikon prefers (5.8–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Daikon.

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

3
successive plantings in your 137-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 22.

Daikon Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 387 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Millard 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 ~780 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline — Delta, UT

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Jul 25
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 – Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.8–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Millard County

Growing Tips for Daikon in Delta

Direct sow Daikon outdoors after May 16 in Millard 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.

Millard County receives only 24" 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 →

🌱

Your Millard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Millard County (Zone 6a). 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 Millard County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.