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When to Plant Turnip in Mitchell County, KS

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.

Mitchell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 627 feet, Mitchell County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Mitchell County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Mitchell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 437 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Turnip needs ~650 GDD — county provides 2,405 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Mitchell County, KS

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 18

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 5b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Mitchell 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 Mitchell County, KS?

Mitchell County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mitchell County, KS?

Mitchell County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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