When to Plant Turnip in Lycoming County, PA
May in the garden — Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
May is a pivotal month for Lycoming County, Pennsylvania gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
-
Basket week: turnip
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
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.
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.
At an elevation of 818 feet, Lycoming County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.
Lycoming County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6.8
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 Lycoming County
How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.8) is more acidic than Turnip prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lycoming County is excellent for Turnip — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Turnip.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.
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 | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lycoming 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 — Lycoming County, PA
Turnip Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 16 | Apr 16 – May 7 |
| Harvest | May 28 | May 28 – Jul 2 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
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 | Harvest |
| 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 6a
📆 Growing Season
171 days in Lycoming County
Growing Tips for Turnip in Lycoming County
Direct sow Turnip outdoors after April 30 in Lycoming County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 171.0-day season in Lycoming 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 Lycoming County, PA?
Lycoming County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lycoming County, PA?
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your Lycoming County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lycoming 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.