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When to Plant Turnip in Allen County, IN

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.

Allen County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 721 feet, Allen County receives approximately 38.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Allen County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Allen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 639 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~688 GDD — county provides 2,461 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Allen County, IN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 27

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 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 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Allen 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 Allen County, IN?

Allen County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Allen County, IN?

Allen County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Allen County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Allen County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.