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When to Plant Turnip in Grand County, CO

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.

Grand County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 114 days.

At an elevation of 5,397 feet, Grand County receives approximately 22.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Grand County, CO (Zone 4a) Short season
114 days
Last Spring Frost May 28
114 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Grand County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 3

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 587 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Turnip needs ~575 GDD — county provides 1,311 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Grand County, CO

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 11
Fall Sowing June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Jul 11
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

114 days

Growing Tips for Grand County

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 Grand County, CO?

Grand County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 28. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grand County, CO?

Grand County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 28 and first fall frost is September 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grand County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Grand County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.