When to Plant Turnip in Grant Parish, LA
Your April planting checklist for Grant Parish, Louisiana
A quick April briefing for Grant Parish, Louisiana gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Harvest turnip as they ripen
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Get ahead of May
- First harvests: turnip
Turnips are a fast-growing cool-season root vegetable with edible roots and greens. Baby turnips are sweet and tender while mature ones are more pungent.
Grant Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 261 days.
At an elevation of 356 feet, Grant Parish receives approximately 56.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.
Grant Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.1-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Grant Parish
How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.1–7.3) overlaps with Turnip's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Grant Parish is excellent for Turnip — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Turnip.
How to Plant Turnip
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Turnip
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 20 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 10.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Turnip
Turnip needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Turnip Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Grant Parish). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Turnip 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.
Turnip Planting Timeline — Grant Parish, LA
Turnip Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 10 |
| Harvest | March 31 | Mar 31 – May 5 |
| Fall Sowing | September 10 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Direct Sow |
| March | Direct Sow Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
261 days in Grant Parish
Growing Tips for Turnip in Grant Parish
Direct sow Turnip outdoors after March 03 in Grant Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 261.0-day season in Grant Parish allows multiple plantings of Turnip. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.
Common pests for Turnip 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 in early spring or late summer. Harvest when roots are 2-3 inches in diameter for best flavor. Both the roots and the greens are nutritious and edible.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Turnip in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Turnip in Grant Parish, LA?
Grant Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Grant Parish, LA?
Grant Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 19.
Your Grant Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Grant Parish (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.