When to Plant Turnip in Stapleton, NE
Your July gardening checklist
Your Logan County, Nebraska garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for July and why each task matters now.
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Pick turnip
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
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Kick off the fall garden with turnip
Count back from your first frost (October 2) — these need to mature before the cold arrives.
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.
Stapleton, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.
At an elevation of 854 feet, Logan County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.
Stapleton Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Turnip 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 Stapleton
How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.2) overlaps with Turnip's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Logan County is excellent for Turnip — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). 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 Aug 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 24.
Turnip Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Logan County). 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 — Stapleton, NE
Turnip Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 20 |
| Harvest | June 10 | Jun 10 – Jul 15 |
| Fall Sowing | July 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| 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 5b
📆 Growing Season
142 days in Logan County
Growing Tips for Turnip in Stapleton
Direct sow Turnip outdoors after May 13 in Logan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Logan County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.