When to Plant Turnip in Foard County, TX
May to-do list for Foard County, Texas
Welcome to May in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
-
Basket week: turnip
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
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.
Foard County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.
At an elevation of 1,496 feet, Foard County receives approximately 57.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°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.
Foard County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.3
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 Foard County
How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.3) is more alkaline than Turnip prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Foard 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 (2.2%). 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 Sep 12 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 4.3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 8.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 8.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 8.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 7.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Foard 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 — Foard County, TX
Turnip Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | March 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 31 |
| Harvest | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 26 |
| Fall Sowing | September 2 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
232 days in Foard County
Growing Tips for Turnip in Foard County
Direct sow Turnip outdoors after March 24 in Foard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 232.0-day season in Foard 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 Foard County, TX?
Foard County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Foard County, TX?
Foard County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 11.
Your Foard County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Foard County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.