Blog

When to Plant Turnip in Logan 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.

Logan County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 6,511 feet, Logan County receives approximately 14.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Turnip successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Logan County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 902 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Turnip needs ~612 GDD — county provides 1,800 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Logan County, CO

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jul 13

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 Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

147 days

Growing Tips for Logan 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 Logan County, CO?

Logan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, CO?

Logan County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Logan County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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