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When to Plant Turnip in Wallace 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.

Wallace County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 1,023 feet, Wallace County receives approximately 33.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Wallace County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Wallace County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 199 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Turnip needs ~612 GDD — county provides 1,972 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Wallace County, KS

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Aug 14
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 3

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
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

161 days

Growing Tips for Wallace 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 Wallace County, KS?

Wallace County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wallace County, KS?

Wallace County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 9.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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