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When to Plant Turnip in Johnson 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.

Johnson County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 1,324 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Johnson County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 357 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, IN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 10 May 10 โ€“ Jun 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
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 6a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, IN?

Johnson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, IN?

Johnson County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnson County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Johnson County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.