When to Plant Turnip in Fulton County, PA
May in the garden — Fulton County, Pennsylvania
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Fulton County, Pennsylvania.
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Basket week: turnip
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
Get ahead of June
- 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.
Fulton County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
At an elevation of 307 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.
Fulton County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.5
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 Fulton County
How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.5) is more acidic than Turnip prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Fulton County is excellent for Turnip — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Turnip.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Turnip will thrive.
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 20 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 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 | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Fulton 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 — Fulton County, PA
Turnip Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 10 | Apr 10 – May 1 |
| Harvest | May 22 | May 22 – Jun 26 |
| Fall Sowing | August 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
178 days in Fulton County
Growing Tips for Turnip in Fulton County
Direct sow Turnip outdoors after April 24 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 178.0-day season in Fulton 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 Fulton County, PA?
Fulton County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Fulton County, PA?
Fulton County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 19.
Your Fulton County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Fulton County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.