Blog

When to Plant Radish in Fairfax County, VA

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.

Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 548 feet, Fairfax County receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Radish during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Radish root diseases.

Fairfax County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Fairfax County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Radish

Radish needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Radish Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 5.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Fairfax County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Radish Planting Timeline โ€” Fairfax County, VA

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

22โ€“35 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

211 days in Fairfax County

Growing Tips for Fairfax County

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 Fairfax County, VA?

Fairfax County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fairfax County, VA?

Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fairfax County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Fairfax County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.