Cool-Season

🫜 When to Plant Turnip

Turnip grows best at 40–65°F and takes 35–60 days to harvest. Frost-tolerant — can go out earlier in spring.

Ideal Temps
40–65°F
Minimum Safe
28°F
Days to Harvest
35–60
Direct Sow
6w before frost
Frost Risk
✅ Tolerant

Planting Season by USDA Zone

Approximate planting windows based on typical last spring frost dates per zone. Dates are estimates — use CanIPlant for a real-time check based on your actual local forecast.

ZoneLast FrostDirect SowTransplant OutStart Indoors
Zone 5May 15Apr 3Apr 17
Zone 6Apr 15Mar 4Mar 18
Zone 7Apr 1Feb 19Mar 4
Zone 8Mar 1Jan 19Feb 2
Zone 9Feb 1Dec 21Jan 4

Growing Tips

Fast cool-season root. Both roots and greens are edible.

For the most accurate planting window in your area, CanIPlant checks your real 7-day forecast, active frost alerts, and 30-year climate normals — not just a generic zone map.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant turnip?

Plant turnip outdoors 6 weeks before last frost. Transplants can go out 4 weeks before last frost.

Is turnip frost sensitive?

Turnip can tolerate light frost, surviving temperatures as low as 28°F. This makes it a great candidate for early spring or fall planting when other crops can't go out yet.

What temperature does turnip need?

Turnip grows best between 40°F and 65°F. It can survive down to 28°F, but growth slows significantly below 40°F. It prefers cool weather and may bolt or stop producing if summer heat arrives early.

How long does turnip take to grow?

Turnip typically takes 35–60 days from transplant (or direct sow) to first harvest.

Is it too cold to plant turnip?

It is too cold to plant Turnip outdoors when nighttime temperatures are falling below 28°F. While Turnip can tolerate temperatures as low as 28°F, growth will be slow until nights consistently exceed 40°F. Use CanIPlant to check your local 7-day forecast and get a real-time answer for your ZIP code.

Is it too hot to plant turnip?

Turnip starts to struggle when temperatures climb above 65°F. As a cool-season crop, Turnip is especially heat-sensitive — high temperatures cause bolting, bitter flavor, or complete crop failure. Avoid planting in the peak of summer and opt for spring or fall instead. CanIPlant checks your local forecast highs to flag this automatically.

Any tips for growing turnip?

Fast cool-season root. Both roots and greens are edible.

Planting Guides by City

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