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When to Plant Turnip in Gage County, NE

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.

Gage County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 896 feet, Gage County receives approximately 23.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Gage County, NE (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Gage County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Gage County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Turnip Planting Timeline — Gage County, NE

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest May 20 May 20 – Jun 24
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 – Aug 17

Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Gage County

Growing Tips for Gage County

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

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Turnip in Gage County, NE?

Gage County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gage County, NE?

Gage County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 12.

🌱

Your Gage County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gage County (Zone 6a). 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 Gage County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.