When to Plant Turnip in Iowa
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.
Iowa spans USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
Find Your County
Click your county for exact Turnip planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Turnip Planting Calendar for Iowa
▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Harvest | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jul 10 |
| Fall Sowing | July 11 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | May 23 | May 23 – Jun 27 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Harvest | May 16 | May 16 – Jun 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
Growing Tips for Iowa
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.
Turnip in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Turnip in Iowa?
Planting dates for Turnip in Iowa depend on your USDA zone. Iowa spans zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Iowa for planting?
Iowa contains USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.