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When to Plant Radish in Greenbrier County, WV

Greenbrier County, West Virginia Zone 6b May

May to-do list for Greenbrier County, West Virginia

May is a pivotal month for Greenbrier County, West Virginia gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Basket week: radish

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: radish

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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.

Greenbrier County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 3,189 feet, Greenbrier County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°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.

Greenbrier County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Greenbrier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 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 Greenbrier County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Radish's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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

9
successive plantings in your 167-day season

Sow every 2.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/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 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Greenbrier 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 ~520 GDD — county provides 3,047 GDD Excellent fit

Radish Planting Timeline — Greenbrier County, WV

Radish Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest May 17 May 17 – Jun 7
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

167 days in Greenbrier County

Growing Tips for Radish in Greenbrier County

Direct sow Radish outdoors after May 03 in Greenbrier County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Greenbrier County reach 91°F — grow Radish as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 167.0-day season in Greenbrier 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 Greenbrier County, WV?

Greenbrier County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Radish planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenbrier County, WV?

Greenbrier County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Greenbrier County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Greenbrier County (Zone 6b). 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 Greenbrier County, WV. 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.