Blog

When to Plant Turnip in Curry County, OR

Curry County, Oregon Zone 9b May

May to-do list for Curry County, Oregon

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Curry County, Oregon this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 21
Avg. first frost November 21
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Bring in the turnip

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 295 feet, Curry County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt 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.

Curry County, OR (Zone 9b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Curry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – May 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22

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 Curry County

How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Turnip's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Curry County is excellent for Turnip — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.4%) — Turnip will thrive.

How to Plant Turnip

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Turnip

7
successive plantings in your 245-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 26.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 192 gal / 100 sq ft

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 8.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 7.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Curry 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 needs ~950 GDD — county provides 4,655 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline — Curry County, OR

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 21
Harvest April 11 Apr 11 – May 16
Fall Sowing September 26 Sep 26 – Oct 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 9b

📆 Growing Season

245 days in Curry County

Growing Tips for Turnip in Curry County

Direct sow Turnip outdoors after March 21 in Curry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 245.0-day season in Curry 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

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Turnip in Curry County, OR?

Curry County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Curry County, OR?

Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 21.

🌱

Your Curry County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Curry County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Curry County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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