Blog

When to Plant Turnip in Luce County, MI

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.

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,157 feet, Luce County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Luce County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
134 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Luce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 24

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
Drought risk

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

Turnip needs ~650 GDD — county provides 1,742 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Luce County, MI

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 5
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Jul 31

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

134 days

Growing Tips for Luce 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 Luce County, MI?

Luce County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Luce County, MI?

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Luce County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Luce County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.