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When to Plant Turnip in Sitka City and Borough, AK

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.

Sitka City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 1,935 feet, Sitka City and Borough receives approximately 21.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 69ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Sitka City and Borough, AK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Sitka City and Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 29

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 849 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~88 GDD — county provides 327 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Sitka City and Borough, AK

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Sitka City and Borough

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Turnip in Sitka City and Borough, AK?

Sitka City and Borough is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sitka City and Borough, AK?

Sitka City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sitka City and Borough gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sitka City and Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.