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When to Plant Turnip in Floyd County, KY

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.

Floyd County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 2,218 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.

Floyd County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Floyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,065 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Floyd County, KY

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 23

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 6b

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Floyd 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 Floyd County, KY?

Floyd County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Floyd County, KY?

Floyd County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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