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When to Plant Turnip in Vigo 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.

Vigo County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,178 feet, Vigo County receives approximately 32.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Vigo County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Vigo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 420 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,185 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Vigo County, IN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 20

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 6a

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Vigo 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 Vigo County, IN?

Vigo County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Vigo County, IN?

Vigo County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Vigo 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 Vigo County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.