When to Plant Turnip
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.
| Zone | Last Frost | Direct Sow | Transplant Out | Start Indoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | May 15 | Apr 3 | Apr 17 | — |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 1 | Feb 19 | Mar 4 | — |
| Zone 8 | Mar 1 | Jan 19 | Feb 2 | — |
| Zone 9 | Feb 1 | Dec 21 | Jan 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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