When to Plant Turnip in Davie County, NC
What to do in May
Your garden in Davie County, North Carolina is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Bring in the turnip
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- 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.
Davie County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.
At an elevation of 819 feet, Davie County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Turnip, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.
Davie County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.5
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 Davie County
How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Turnip's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The clay loam soil in Davie County is excellent for Turnip — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 30 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 20.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Davie 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 — Davie County, NC
Turnip Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 16 |
| Harvest | May 7 | May 7 – Jun 11 |
| Fall Sowing | August 20 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Direct Sow |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| 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 7b
📆 Growing Season
203 days in Davie County
Growing Tips for Turnip in Davie County
Direct sow Turnip outdoors after April 09 in Davie County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Davie County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Turnip. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
Your generous 203.0-day season in Davie County 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 Davie County, NC?
Davie County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Davie County, NC?
Davie County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 29.
Your Davie County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Davie County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.